Call for more 20mph East Riding roads
MOTION TO REVIEW SPEED LIMITS
OPPOSITION East Riding councillors are set to call for more 20mph limits in residential areas and town and village centres at an upcoming meeting.
Liberal Democrats on East Riding Council have tabled a motion calling for a review into limits on some roads to be brought forward from 2023.
Cllr Linda Johnson, who is proposing the motion, said she hoped it would make roads safer and less confusing for drivers after vehicle use returned to normal following lockdown.
Group leader Cllr David Nolan said 20mph limits reduced the chance of pedestrians dying if they were hit by a car.
The motion would see the council formally adopt Resolution 11 of The Stockholm Declaration, which calls for blanket 20mph limits on roads used by “vulnerable” users, if councillors back it.
It would also see parish and town councils consulted on which roads should have limits cut, with changes brought in by April 2025 if it is voted through today.
Cllr Johnson said East Riding roads were currently riddled with “inconsistencies” and the pandemic had already opened more of them up to pedestrian use.
The councillor said: “We’ve decided to put this motion down because there are so many inconsistencies across East Riding’s road network.
“And we have more parts of our town centres being utilised by businesses after the pandemic, Beverley’s Saturday Market has been pedestrianised now and there’s traffic restrictions in place during Wednesday Market.
“But even when restrictions end there’s still pedestrians around.
“What’s happened in Beverley is a rise in café culture, there are two businesses who have 29 seats between them on the pavements outside during Wednesday Market now.
“It’s become much easier for businesses to use pavements for seating after the pandemic.
“That’s been encouraged by the Government who are pushing for people to walk or cycle more, too.
“Then we’ve got residential areas where kids got used to being able to play on the roads outside during lockdown. But those roads are getting busier again as more people commute to work and children and other residents will be vulnerable to speeding drivers.
“In my ward of St Marys there’s been more instances of cars and motorbikes speeding through housing estates since lockdown ended, some are becoming unsafe.
“I’m finding it much harder to get across Swinemoor roundabout on my bike now too.
“There are a number of residential areas with 30mph limits, then there’s others with 20mph and roads elsewhere it’s 40mph. It’s the inconsistency which is concerning and confusing for drivers. We see that outside schools as well, some have exclusion zones while others have 20mph limits.
“People have been able to enjoy these outdoor areas more and that should be part of the new normal as we look to get the economy going again.
“If we reduce speeds on some roads hopefully more people will want to use them and enjoy the fresh air.
“It’s mainly to do with safety, but we know that reduced speeds also help to cut emissions as well.
“And if the speed is lower but it’s consistent then it helps keep the traffic moving. It’s when it changes that we see cars stopping and starting and the flow disrupted.”