Speed cut to 20mph ‘ is not a cure- all’

THE HIGHWAYS boss of a local authority that maintains a 5,700mile road network has welcomed a report that concluded introducing a mandatory 20mph limit in all settlements was inappropriate.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for access Councillor Don Mackenzie said despite the pandemic having led to more people becoming conscious of the environment and calling for safer streets, there remained “very mixed feelings” about 20mph limits.

Coun Mackenzie was speaking to the authority’s transport scrutiny committee, following its extensive investigation into calls from groups such as 20s Plenty for more 20mph zones in towns and villages.

The campaign group, which had presented evidence to the inquiry, said there was clear evidence that reducing traffic speed cut the number of collisions and casualties.

The inquiry found it was “unrealistic” to set 20mph speed limits in all settlements in the county where there were vulnerable road users.

Coun Mackenzie told the meeting that one school that had a 20mph zone introduced had then asked for further road- safety measures.

He added that people regularly claimed to him that there was “an accident waiting to happen” but he said 20mph zones “aren’t the cure- all that some people think they are”.

The roads boss said: “I am guided by history of accidents and the like and if we see a history of accidents building up outside schools we will act – and that includes introducing 20mph limits.”