Today I found a much better way of avoiding the 30mph section of the a40
From the a501 go towards oxford street and turn right at conduit street
Drive past a bently dealer then a porsche dealer past the american embasy
Drive through hyde park
At westfield join a40 where the speed limit is 40mph
As I said it’s all falling down. Those big holes that were drilled trough the pillars/supports when the Subterrania Night club was created cannot have helped.
I have been asked to comment on this. I have not been able to find any traffic order that covers this change. Any issues should be taken up with TFL, especially if people feel the road is dangerous with the current confusing signs. The TFL website has the contact details. Or you could report it at fixmystreet.com
Hi.
I’m new here so not sure about protocols. Apologies if I don’t follow correct procedures.
I am concerned about the dangerous situation on the Westway with a variety of different speeds all being observed at the same time.
I took a stab at finding out who was responsible for the new speed limit and appear to have made a lucky guess. Here is the reply I received to my email from TfL: (Please note wording at the end, ie: review, not reinstate!)
**Re: A40 **
Thank you for your e-mail of 28 February 2011, that reported change of speed limit at the above location. We at Transport for London (TfL) are most obliged to you for taking the trouble to do so.
“TfL has temporarily reduced the speed limit from 50 to 30 mph on the A40 Westway while we carry out bridge maintenance to replace several of the expansion joints on the flyover. The work will be done as quickly as possible with the minimum amount of disruption.
“New road markings have been painted onto the carriageway as this section of the A40 is not currently lit at night. The speed limit has been reduced to 30mph to keep the road open.”
Additional information:
Road markings have been used as temporary road signs could not be installed due to the narrow hard shoulders along the A40 Westway and the lack of a power supply on the bridge.
The speed limit has been decreased to 30 mph to preserve the temporary repairs to the expansion joints that were carried out over the last week.
Although the bridge is still safe for drivers to use, further repairs will be carried out as soon as specialist parts can be manufactured, which we expect to be a matter of weeks.
If those repairs are successful we will be able to review the temporary speed restriction.
Thank you once more for bringing the matter to our particular attention. I shall be pleased to assist if you have any further queries.
Please visit www.tfl.gov.uk/contact for additional information about TfL’s services
Yours sincerely
Dorothy Solomon
Customer Service Advisor
The main problem seems to be a complete lack of information. If more drivers knew why this was being done then perhaps more of them would be prepared to drive/ride at the new limit while the repairs are being carried out.
BTW when the westway was opened it was originally designated as a motorway and the speed limit was 60mph. I was a young despatch rider then!!
Further to my last post I have just sent this reply to the email from TfL:
Dear Ms Solomon
Many thanks thanks for your prompt and comprehensive reply.
This makes the 30mph speed limit completely understandable, but no less dangerous.
Some drivers are blatently ignoring the previous 50mph limit, some are trying to conform to the new 30mph limit and some are just trying to stay safe by keeping up with the flow of traffic.
Perhaps if an explanation sign was erected at each end of this stretch of road it might encourage all users to drive at 30mph until the work is finished. I don’t believe prosecuting drivers for speeding will resolve this problem as “catching out” a few drivers during these repairs will not address the problem of encouraging all drivers to adhere to the temporary limit.
As a motorcyclist on a poorly lit road I am feeling particularly vulnerable and at risk of either being hit from behind or being issued with a PCN.
Thank you once again for your time.
That is the right approach - also copy those emails and responses to your MP and London Assembly Member. Yo ucan do all of that through www.writetothem.com.
Many thanks for posting their response; very useful.
Ta
Phil
New 30 MPH signs installed at the week-end so at least the new limit is clearer.
The traffic has slowed but many vehicles still hitting 60/70 MPH so expect cameras to follow!
I followed a British Transport Police Van onto the elevated section. He was happily doing 60 mph in the 30 zone. No blues and two’s used so no excuse.
The other day, however, commuters were basically escorted along the road by the police. There was a motorbike cop in the outside lane doing no more than 35 and thus no one in front or behind exceeded that speed…
Only using it for for 2 more days now as I finish my job this week. 
Is it still 30
