20mph speed limit expansion approved
Proposals to introduce 20mph speed limits on streets where the majority of Brighton & Hove residents wanted them were agreed at a cross-party council committee meeting yesterday (11th December).
Residents in the second phase of 20mph scheme were consulted earlier this year on their views, and a revised set of proposals incorporating their views came before councillors for decision.
Under the new plans, six out of ten people would have got the speed limit they wanted (whether 20mph or 30mph and even 40mph) on the street they live on.
Councillor Ian Davey, Lead Member for Transport, said: “We are delighted that the majority of our proposals for 20mph speed limits on residential roads across more of the city have been supported by residents and accepted by opposition councillors.
“We listened carefully to all comments in the consultation and tailored the next phase of 20mph to those streets where most people want it and where it’s most needed to improve road safety.
“As a result of today’s decision, more of the city’s residents will in the future be able to benefit from slower speeds and safer streets where they live, work, shop, play and go to school.
“We are deeply disappointed that Conservative and Labour councillors decided to carve up the proposals, disregarding residents’ views and the safety data.
“The majority of our proposals were untouched and as a result most areas will get what they asked for.
“However thanks to the Tories and Labour, some residents near schools and accident hotspots have been left high and dry.”
Opposition Labour and Conservative councillors on the no-overall-control committee decided to overturn official safety advice and block lower traffic speeds in four areas:
1) Portland Road – a busy shopping street with one of the largest primary schools in the city. In the last three years there have been 44 collisions and 50 casualties, meaning it has the worst road safety record in the whole of the Phase 2 area.
2) Surrenden Road – a road where residents have been campaigning for safer streets for years. Approximately 5000 children attend the nearby schools including Varndean, Dorothy Stringer and Balfour Junior.
3) Preston Drove and Stanford Avenue – which include busy residential areas adjoining two busy community parks, Blakers Park and Preston Park.
4) A large swathe of Patcham & Hollingbury including the area around Carden Primary School.
The final decision will come back to committee in March.
