Regarding the temporary speed limits imposed near the NDR roadworks, the responsibility for safety on and around the roadworks rests solely with the contractors. It is their responsibility, and theirs alone, to ensure that their work does not present a danger to their workers, to road users or to other members of the public.
In most cases virtually all the work is undertaken well away from public highways or, in the few instances where prolonged work is undertaken immediately adjacent to the public highway, behind security fencing. In those circumstances there is no justification for imposing a reduced speed limit. Inevitably there will be occasions when work has to be undertaken on the carriageway and it would be expected that the contractors should use temporary traffic lights, coning off work sites as appropriate.
Given the obligations placed on the contractors, and the options available to them to ensure safe working, these long-term speed limits should never have been imposed. Had there been serious safety considerations requiring temporary speed restrictions at particular sensitive periods, then a system of variable speed limits could have been imposed, limited to times when they are actually required.
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