Calls for speed cut in town win council backing
COUNCILLORS have thrown their full support behind proposals that would see a 20mph speed limit imposed on almost all roads in Newton Abbot.
The Devon County Council trial is set to be carried out in 2021 and will allow the testing of the full potential impact of an area-wide scheme.
Teignbridge District Council’s executive on Tuesday morning unanimously expressed its preliminary support for the trial and said that it would hopefully both provide a safe environment for all road users, as well as tackling congestion problems in the town.
The trial would follow the success of limited speed limits imposed in Portsmouth, Oxford, Bristol, Warrington, Islington and Hackney, and if the Newton Abbot trial is a success then it could be rolled out to other parts of Devon.
Putting forward the proposal, Cllr Jackie Hook, portfolio holder for Climate Change, said that excessive speed is one the issues that councillors are contacted most often about and “these complaints should be taken seriously as the concerns are backed up by tragic statistics”.
She said: “This is about creating a safe road network to encourage people out of their cars for short car journey where they can walk or cycle.”
She added: “These are a low cost highway measure but with huge benefits, not just about saving lives but there is an economic uplift in these communities from a very small cost.”
Cllr Colin Parker said: “Not all will adhere but they will reduce their speeds from what they did previously, and people will be safer, and it will improve the image as a safe and welcoming town.”
Cllr Richard Keeling said that he hoped the trial would be a success so it could be rolled out to all parishes and towns in the area.
The town council has said detailed scrutiny of the impacts would need to be assessed.