Speed limits for pedestrians on pavements in the rain

Speed limits for pedestrians when it rains will not be respected and will hamper the promotion of sustainable travel, according to the Environmental Transport Association.

Pavements across Britain are to be painted with speed limit signs that are visible only when it rains.

Amid concern that pedestrians are not taking enough care in wet conditions, it is thought officials at the department for transport took inspiration from the French, who impose lower speed limits on motorways when it rains.

According to health and safety experts, walkers of all ages have been clocked at speeds as high as 4 mph when the heavens open. With the first wet-weather pavements due to be unveiled in London on 1st April, a spokesperson earlier today explained: "April showers pose a serious skid risk for speeding walkers who put their foot to the floor."

Hydrophobic signs

The super-hydrophobic paint remains dry while the pavement surrounding the paint gets wet – making the sign stand out.

Pedestrian signs will restrict those on foot to a speed of 2 mph in wet conditions.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) sounded a word of caution: “Other European countries do their best to promote walking, but this threatens to make Britain a laughing stock.”

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