County council reject claim 20 is plenty
6,700 signed petition for lower speed limit
A CAMPAIGN to impose a 20mph speed limit in Leek town centre has not been supported by Staffordshire County Council - despite a petition signed by 6,700 people.
The petition, presented to the county council, had been collected by Leek man Roger Warrillow.
However, Staffordshire County Council said it was ‘not a viable option.’ They added that 20mph zones usually came with physical traffic calming measures, and that installing such measures in Leek could prove prohibitive.
Speaking at the meeting County Council cabinet member David Williams said: “I’ve spoken with Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership who say enforcement of 20mph zones is not currently a viable option. All speed limits in Staffordshire are implemented in accordance with national guidance.
“This only advocates the use of 20mph speed limits where pedestrian and cyclist movements are important and need highlighting. Hence, in Staffordshire, we use advisory 20mph speed limits outside schools on main roads.
“Twenty-mile-an-hour zones usually require physical trafficcalming measures, repeater speed limit signing and/or road markings at regular intervals. Therefore, the costs to implement these schemes are dependent on the measures necessary to make the speed limit self-enforcing.
“With no significant change in accident rates and no benefit to the environment, can local authorities including parish councils justifiably spend the amounts of money required to create these zones? For my own area of Penkridge, the minimum charge would be £32,000.”
Speaking to county councillors last week, Mr Warrillow said: “Ten years ago Staffordshire County Council removed Leek town centre’s roundabout. The roundabout worked. It was efficient and safe with no record of any accidents before its removal.
“The highways department replaced the roundabout with a pedestrian shared space, unfortunately with traffic lights.
“The people of Leek had a referendum to keep the roundabout. The result was four to one to secure it, but it was demolished regardless. Since then, Leek has suffered with traffic and safety issues.
“A planning agreement stated Sainsbury’s would not open until the road alterations were completed. However, 10 years later, the T junction at the top of St Edward Street is not completed or even started in the centre of Leek.
“Also not finished are zebra crossings. Since then Leek has had road deaths and many accidents.
“The excuse from Staffordshire County Council is that there is no money, though this is no excuse as Sainsbury’s were paying for the alterations.”
Speaking to the Post & Times this week, Mr Warrillow said he was disappointed in the county council.
He said: “It is with deep regret that after collecting 6,700 signatures for a 20mph speed limit in Leek town centre, the county council decided not to support it.
“What was upsetting was our local councillors were very negative about the benefits of pedestrian safety and thought there was nothing wrong.
“A 20mph speed limit would save lives, improve road congestion, road repairs, stability of buildings, noise pollution, air pollution and national health issues.
“A 20mph equals 20 per cent fewer casualties.
“There is 25 per cent less air pollution at 20mph as against 30mph. Leek needs a safe environment for its main industry, which is tourism.”
Leek South county councillor, Charlotte Atkins, said it was very disappointing that the wishes of more than 6,000 local residents were ignored by the county council last week.
She said: “Roger Warrilow eloquently presented his petition but the Conservative county council cabinet member, David Williams rejected out of hand any suggestion that a 20mph limit should be introduced into Leek.
““With clear community support, I hope we are pushing at an open door for this 20mph limit.”
County councillor for Leek Rural Gill Heath spoke against the petition.
Councillor Heath said: “I do not think that a 20mph is necessary.
“It takes ages now to get through Leek and you have difficulty to do 20mph.
“It would also be very expensive to complete it.”
Councillor Williams added: “Staffordshire County Council does take road safety extremely seriously and recognises local concerns about drivers travelling at inappropriate speeds throughout all of our communities.
“Staffordshire maintains one of the safest highway networks in the country and targets available resources at road safety interventions that have the greatest impact.
“Most importantly, we liaise with our local communities to understand their individual aspirations and work collaboratively to tackle any road safety concerns.”