20 mph schemes get closer

Proposals to bring 20 mph schemes into streets without the need for speed humps are getting closer.

The Governement is keen for local councils to introduce the lower speed restriction into residential streets and other roads where pedestrian and cycle traffic is high.

Until now, if a council wished to implement 20 mph schemes on to roads, traffic calming measures such as speed humps would have needed to be used.

The Department of Transport is now allowing the 20mph limits to be used across streets without enforcing the use of these measures.

Recent studies have recommended the dropping of speed limits in such areas to reduce the number of road casualties, mainly children.

Road Safety Minister Paul Clark said: “We have seen that 20 mph zones with traffic calming measures can make a real difference to the safety of local roads. But we’ve also looked at the latest research and listened to councils and residents who want to introduce 20mph limits on a series of roads where physical traffic calming measures aren’t possible or practical.

“Allowing councils to put in place 20 mph speed limits on more streets without speed humps or chicanes will mean that they can introduce them at a lower cost and with less inconvenience to local residents.”