A 20 mph default speed limit on all residential roads in the Wirral
News - July 2010
Progress on the Wirral: At a recent meeting with Lesley Rennie (the new Council Cabinet Member for Streetscene & Transport), she confirmed that the new Council administration is as committed to 20 mph as the previous one (which allocated £1.1M for 20 mph earlier this year). Discussions will be needed on (1) how quickly the limits can be introduced within the budget allocated and (2) which roads will be included. We will be pressing for a scheme similar to that in Oxford (see below).
Progress nationally was reported earlier this month at the Living Streets (Pedestrians Association) Annual Conference.
In Oxford, all residential roads are now 20 mph except for some residential roads that are bus routes. Most bus routes have remained as 30 mph, but two stretches are 20 mph. The total cost of the scheme was £240,000, which was spent almost entirely on 20 mph signs (road humps have not been used). The Oxford campaigners are pleased with the compliance so far. In Southwark, where all residential roads have been 20mph for some time, the police have now started enforcement using speed guns to tackle motorists speeding on "rat runs". Islington has recently decided to switch all residential roads to 20 mph.
Department for Transport guidelines were reassessed earlier this year. The new guidelines (currently awaiting approval by the new government) will make widespread introduction of 20 mph limits easier to introduce.
The national 20's Plenty for Us group has produced A3-sized 20 mph stickers for wheelie bins at £1.50 each. Why not get some for your bins to show support for the campaign and spread the message? Contact us if interested - we are ordering a supply.
Progress on the Wirral: At a recent meeting with Lesley Rennie (the new Council Cabinet Member for Streetscene & Transport), she confirmed that the new Council administration is as committed to 20 mph as the previous one (which allocated £1.1M for 20 mph earlier this year). Discussions will be needed on (1) how quickly the limits can be introduced within the budget allocated and (2) which roads will be included. We will be pressing for a scheme similar to that in Oxford (see below).
Progress nationally was reported earlier this month at the Living Streets (Pedestrians Association) Annual Conference.
In Oxford, all residential roads are now 20 mph except for some residential roads that are bus routes. Most bus routes have remained as 30 mph, but two stretches are 20 mph. The total cost of the scheme was £240,000, which was spent almost entirely on 20 mph signs (road humps have not been used). The Oxford campaigners are pleased with the compliance so far. In Southwark, where all residential roads have been 20mph for some time, the police have now started enforcement using speed guns to tackle motorists speeding on "rat runs". Islington has recently decided to switch all residential roads to 20 mph.
Department for Transport guidelines were reassessed earlier this year. The new guidelines (currently awaiting approval by the new government) will make widespread introduction of 20 mph limits easier to introduce.
The national 20's Plenty for Us group has produced A3-sized 20 mph stickers for wheelie bins at £1.50 each. Why not get some for your bins to show support for the campaign and spread the message? Contact us if interested - we are ordering a supply.
This is not just about reducing accidents, it's about creating an environment where people feel safe to walk and cycle where they live.
This means
• 20 mph speed limits on residential roads, on routes to schools and playgrounds, and on roads with a high density of shops
• 30 mph and higher limits reserved for arterial routes, e.g. A roads and B roads
Questions and Answers
Q. Doesn't this mean lots of speed bumps everywhere? They are a real nuisance.
A. No. Where default 20mph speed limits have been introduced in other towns and cities (e.g. Portsmouth and Oxford), all that is done is to change 30 mph signs to 20 mph signs - it's cheap and easy. The total cost for residential roads in Oxford was just £240,000.
Q. Won't it take ages to get anywhere at 20 mph?
A. No. The main arterial routes will still be at the higher speed limits, and most longer journeys will still be mainly at this speed.
Q. How will 20 mph speed limits be enforced?
A. They are largely self-enforcing because most people, once they hear all the pros and cons, are in favour. And police forces in Portsmouth and Oxford have been enforcing the new limits where necessary.
Q. Won't it be less efficient for cars to be driven at 20 mph, resulting in more CO2 and other pollution?
A. There is evidence that overall there is little change in most pollutants from vehicles, but there should be less pollution if roads are safer and there are more journeys that are made by bike.
Q. What is the safety benefit?
A. The latest evidence is of a 42% reduction in road casualties overall from the introduction of 20 mph zones in London. But there are other health benefits as well - it is easier for people to walk or cycle (e.g. children getting to school) and so keep fit and healthy.
Q. OK you've convinced me. What can I do?
A. Persuade your family and friends; ask your councillor to support the proposal; send a letter to the Wirral Globe or the News; Join our Facebook group.
Contact us
Email us at livingstreetswirral[at]gmail.com