B4234/Leys Hill Junction update…Some Excellent News
Earlier in April 2025, we received a notification from the Traffic Division of Herefordshire Council confirming their agreement to implement an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), effectively reducing the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph along the B4234, while speed tests are carried out over a period of time. The results of speed testing will assess the effectiveness of the new speed limit. The target date for implementation to change the signage is during the summer of 2025.
See below Herefordshire Councils notification in detail.
“As you may be aware, an assessment of the existing 40mph speed limit through Kerne Bridge has been carried out following a request from Walford Parish Council in 2022.
It is essential that speed limits are set appropriately for their environment, as inappropriate speed limits can lead to adverse effects such as increased/inappropriate overtaking, tailgating, and driver inattention. As part of any speed limit review, speed surveys must be conducted to assess current traffic conditions. Industry best practice dictates that we analyse the 85th percentile speed, the speed at or below which 85% of motorists travel, as this is widely recognised as an indicator of the speed most drivers consider appropriate given the road’s environment and geometry.
The current recorded speed data indicates that the current 40mph speed limit is well observed. However, vehicle speeds remain too high to be confident that reducing the limit to 30mph would result in speeds appropriate for such a restriction. When implementing speed limit changes, the objective should always be to introduce a ‘self-regulating’ limit, as it is in no one’s interest to introduce a limit that relies solely on police enforcement for compliance.
Notwithstanding the above, a decision has been made to proceed with the implementation of a 30mph speed limit through Kerne Bridge in response to ongoing concerns raised by residents. However, given the data collected during the assessment and the limited research available on the anticipated speed reductions with the existing traffic calming measures, the implementation will be carried out under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO).
An ETRO is a temporary legal order that allows for the trial of changes to speed limits before determining whether they should be made permanent. It can remain in place for a maximum of 18 months and follows a process similar to that of a Permanent Traffic Regulation Order (PTRO). Unlike a standard PTRO, an ETRO does not require full public consultation prior to implementation. Instead, the public has the opportunity to provide feedback throughout the trial period. During this time, Herefordshire Council will also conduct regular speed surveys to assess the effectiveness of the reduced speed limit and measure any resulting changes in driver behaviour.
At the conclusion of the trial period (up to 18 months), Herefordshire Council will decide whether to introduce a Permanent Traffic Regulation Order (PTRO) to formalise the 30mph speed limit or revert to the previous 40mph limit if the trial is deemed unsuccessful. A reasonable benchmark for success would be that 85th percentile vehicle speeds at all or the majority of survey locations are at or below 35mph.
It is important to note that while public feedback will be carefully considered, the final decision will rest with Herefordshire Council. Significant weight will be given to the results of the speed surveys, ensuring that any decision is based on objective evidence of compliance and effectiveness.”