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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
Samuel Port

'Idiots driving like lunatics' around new Leeds roundabout with 50mph limit

“Idiots have been driving like absolute lunatics” around a massive new Leeds roundabout which just finished construction last week.

There's 50mph speed limit where the A58 Wetherby Road meets the East Leeds Orbital Route (ELOR) roundabout and it has come under heavy fire. The ELOR roundabout was fully opened last week as part of a new dual carriageway of Leeds' outer Ring Road.

A nearby resident, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke about his fears after two fast vehicles almost crashed into the side of his car. But Leeds City Council says the 50mph limit simply following government guidance as the roundabout is not in a built-up area.

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The worried resident said: “I can’t believe the roundabout speed limit is 50mph! They’ve not protected it properly. Even 30mph around some of the twisty bits would be too much. It’s ridiculous.

“A range rover last weekend and a food delivery van almost drove into the side of me. There will be an accident there, the roundabout should have an absolute maximum 40mph limit on the A58 as you approach it.

The limit changes to 50mph on the way to the roundabout (photobygeorge.uk)

"The signs change to 50mph as you reach the roundabout, there are idiots driving like absolute lunatics around it.

“I still can’t fully work out why it’s not fully around the roundabout. There’s nothing stopping someone trying to drive like an idiot around there. It’s just absolute rubbish.

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “Where the East Leeds Orbital Route meets the A58 Wetherby Road roundabout there is a 50mph limit in place.

When setting the speed of a road we need to follow the Department for Transport's 'Setting Local Speed Limit' guidance. The guidance supports a speed limit of 50mph because the road is classed as a dual carriageway ring road with little roadside development.

“A 30mph speed limit was temporarily in place during construction for the safety of road users and construction workers. We will continue to monitor speed limits on the route.”

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