Plea to County for widespread 20 mph like Portsmouth

The County are currently considering a move to put 20 mph zones outside schools - here below is a letter from me sent to all County councillors and the Highways Department. I await with interest any replies.

I've also enclosed at the bottom of this post a few comments from emails to me regarding 20 mph - sadly Highways is not covered by District Council but it is clearly such an important issue that as you will see from previous posts I've been trying to move it forward.

I write in support of widespread 20 mph designations for all residential areas. The County has made a start but needs to go much further.

You may well be aware that Portsmouth City Council has already adopted a citywide 20mph speed limit with the aim of protecting schoolchildren and other road users from serious injury and death. Other Councils are considering similar moves.

The benefits are indisputable.

Speed is a major factor contributing to road danger and children are in the firing line. A pedestrian struck at 20mph has a 95% chance of survival. This is reduced to 50% at 30mph. 20mph speed limits properly enforced have been shown to reduce casualties by 70% amongst child pedestrians.

Death and injury on the roads is a serious problem in Britain with 10 people killed and 100 injured every day. We have one of the worst records for child pedestrian accidents in Europe and children in the most deprived electoral wards are 3 times more likely to be a casualty than children in wealthier areas. Falling numbers of pedestrians and cyclists are directly linked to such road dangers.

20mph limits are a critical success factor in promoting walking, cycling and public transport as alternatives to the private car. They help create 'living streets' as this is the speed at which drivers can have eye contact with other users of the street. It is the speed at which pedestrians feel more confident about crossing the road, children play outside their homes and it is quiet enough to hold a conversation. Research also shows lower traffic speeds mean reduced air and noise pollution, less fuel use and help tackling climate change. On urban roads lower speeds have been shown to reduce congestion.

Next steps

We need a shift in policy from Westminister to make it easier for local authorities to support 20 mph, but having said that local authorities have room to make significant strides in delivering safer communities and protecting children.

The suggestion to start with 20 mph zones around schools is one positive way forward, but children should be able to walk safely in all residential areas. We need a much more radical policy that ensures all Gloucestershire towns, villages and our city are all covered by 20 mph zones. This is common place in Europe and has potential to shift the way we see our residential areas from viewing them as transport corridors to seeing them as 'living' communities.

Financing and enforcement of such a project are clearly significant obstacles to overcome, but we can start now to create a safer, more pleasant Gloucestershire. All new developments should automatically be designed for maximum 20 mph speeds and a widespread programme of 20 mph zones should be established. If other areas can make these moves there should be no reason why we can't join those leading Councils.

Cllr. Philip Booth, on behalf of Stroud District Green party,
Stroud District councillor for the Randwick, Ruscombe and Whiteshill ward

Some comments from emails to me (identities removed as permission has not been sought for publication):

1. 'We can't have a 20 mph because we haven't had an accident' - Who makes these crazy rules? Thank you for your work on this.

2. I write as I am worried about the speeds on our roads....Is there anything that can be done?

3. As our councillor, we wanted to know your take on the speed limits through Randwick and Ruscombe.....I'm always shocked and alarmed at the speed people drive....I know it just a matter of time before there is a serious incident.What actual ation is being taken currently to reduce the speed limits around here. The lanes are so narrow I think the speed limit should be 20mph.I've read your blogs and I think it is fantastic to have someone so active as our councillor.

4. Speeding cars in Whiteshill has been a problem for many years. I don't see that anybody can do anything about it until we have an accident. What do we pay our taxes for? The main road is to buzy and to many cars. We need a crossing but I the council say we cannot have one as there is not a place to put it legally. Can we have a volunteer to be injured on our roads?