Plea for more 20mph limits

Published on Tue 4th Dec 2007

Judith Lubbock

Eaton Ward Councillor Judith Lubbock highlights the debacle over the Unthank Road Safety Scheme and calls for a more cost-effective policy.

Dear Editor,

Thank you Evening News for continuing to highlight the need for lower speed limits in residential areas. A 20 mph limit in all residential streets in Norwich would be a fantastic step towards making our streets safer for children, the elderly, pedestrians, cyclists and even motorists as well as encouraging more walking and cycling.

The recent debacle on Unthank Road shows that this can be achieved without the necessary expensive, disruptive and often uncomfortable traffic humps.

The 140,000 price tag for digging up the road, re-aligning kerbs and widening pavements has been a waste when following complaints the road was dug up again for kerb re-aligning and pavement narrowing. The decision was also taken not to allow the signalled crossing to be exchanged for a non signalled one. Essentially what is left now is a 20 mph stretch of road with 20 mph signs on the road and on posts and a no waiting restriction.

One wonders why this could not have been achieved in a more cost effective and less disruptive way.

The City Council adopted the policy of 20 mph limits in residential streets over a year ago following my Liberal Democrat motion. Nothing has been done since blaming lack of resources. The situation in Unthank Road shows how scarce resources are being wasted by this Labour administration.

Yours sincerely,

Liberal Democrat Councillor Judith Lubbock

422 Unthank Road

Norwich NR4 7QH

Tel: 01603 504126