20 mph campaigners fear road policy will be ‘weak’

ROAD safety campaigners are calling on Gloucestershire County Council to support plans for 20 mph limits in urban and residential areas.

A working group has been running over recent months and is due to make recommendations to council leaders who are developing a road safety policy. However, campaigners believe the policy will do nothing to move 20 mph limits closer.

Scott Mcneill, 20’s Plenty co-ordinator for Gloucestershire, said: “It looks like the recommendations will be weak to the point of being worthless.

“If the cabinet approves these it will be a slap in the face to people who want to feel safe walking across roads in their own village and town.”

He added: “I urge the cabinet to consult with 20’s Plenty prior to approving this report. It’s not too late to take another look at how they can support communities who want 20 mph limits.”

Rod King, founder and campaign director for the nationwide organisation, said 20 mph policy was rapidly evolving as more and more politicians realised its popularity and benefits for health, safety and the climate.

He said: “Fifty-one town and parish councils in Gloucestershire plus areas of Gloucester city, Cheltenham borough and Cotswold District Council said they want to see 20 mph limits in their areas.”

He added: “Local people know their area best and we need the county council to work with us to make where we live safer and healthier. At the moment the message from the council is that they just don’t care.”

A county council spokesperson said the safety of local roads was a top priority. He said this was why the council had worked with communities, the police and crime commissioner and the fire service to develop a road safety policy.

He said: “This will include a range of measures, including 20 mph speed limits, to decrease speeding on our roads as well as helping us to achieve our objectives around climate change and carbon reduction. This policy will be going out for public consultation in the next few weeks and we welcome feedback from as many people as possible.

“New speed limits are likely to be brought in on a case-by-case basis, following requests from town and parish councils to best serve local needs.”