20 mph in all residential streets

Published on Mon 12th Nov 2007

Judith Lubbock

Liberal Democrat City Councillor Judith Lubbock says Norwich should follow Portsmouth's example and bring in 20 mph limits to the City's residential roads.

At last weeks Joint Highways Committee (City and County Councillors) I asked why the Council was not ready with a report into the feasibility of such a blanket 20 mph limit in our residential streets. I was told that a full report will be ready for our meeting in March 2008 and the delay was due to staff shortages. However I am concerned that the council are too slow in progressing a motion passed 18 months ago by full council, with cross party support, to bring in 20 mph blanket speed limits without expensive road engineering works. I feel the council is dragging its heels on the importance of reducing speeds in all areas of the city in order to reduce the number of road deaths and injuries, especially in children and the elderly.

I am pleased that the Evening News has featured the 3M Streetwise on-line survey launched last week. They also highlighted the work of the road safety charity Brake in Road Safety Week alongside the tragic loss of Kai Davies a year ago.

I am sure communities across the city do not want a similar accident in their area and want the council to give 20 mph speed limits priority.

Whilst I understand roads outside and around schools are important for 20mph limits so too are the roads leading to the schools which should encompass the whole of the residential area. This would allow children to walk and cycle in safety to schools, to play areas, to shops etc. The only logical answer is for this council to follow Portsmouth's example and implement 20 mph zones in all residential streets. We need to create a culture where driving too fast in residential streets is seen as anti social behaviour.

Statistics from Brake tell us that 48% of children live in fear of being knocked down while walking or cycling. Norwich City Council has a chance to reduce this fear for children living in Norwich.