Residents give green light to 20mph in new consultation

Proposals for slower speeds in Brighton & Hove residential areas have been welcomed by residents, an extensive consultation has found.

53% of residents in the areas covered by the second phase of the scheme responded positively when asked if they supported the introduction of 20mph speed limits on their street.

The final proposal put forward by council officers matches residents’ wishes as closely as possible, while also taking into account road safety data and areas around schools and the hospital.

Almost 15,000 people responded to the consultation, making it one of the city’s biggest in recent history.

A special meeting of the Environment Transport & Sustainability Committee has been called for the 11th December to allow sufficient time for airing of the findings.

Councillor Pete West, Chair of the Environment Transport & Sustainability Committee, said: “People have been asking for slower speeds for years – so we weren’t surprised that many have given such resounding support for 20mph in this consultation.

“Reducing traffic speed is one of the biggest factors in making our roads safer – for every 1mph slower traffic travels, there’s a 6% decrease in casualties.

“We’ve always said that that where residents want to keep the current speed limits in their area, we’d try to meet their requests – while also taking into account other factors like accident hotspots, the hospital and schools.

“We have also always said that arterial routes into and out of the city centre, such as the Old Shoreham Road, the seafront, Dyke Road, London Road, Ditchling Road and the Lewes Road, would remain at the current speed.”

“We’ve developed a sensible proposal that takes into account everyone who lives on and uses our streets. Whether parents, taxi drivers, the bus company or councillors, our extensive consultation has given a clear steer on how and where slower speed limits should be introduced.

“This is an issue that many feel strongly about. Though councillors have been fully briefed throughout, it’s only right that residents have time to digest the findings and the revised proposals. So I’ve requested that officers organise a special meeting to discuss and decide on this very important issue.”

If agreed at committee on 11th December, the administrative process for reducing speeds in the agreed areas will begin, and a final decision will return to committee for implementation in the Spring.