Local residents concerned about the dangers of fast drivers are being encouraged to demand the introduction of 20 mph speed limits on Nottinghamshire’s residential roads.
That’s the message from the county’s Labour leader Councillor Penny Gowland, who says reducing speed helps to save lives and reduce traffic injuries. 1600 people are killed on the UK’s roads most years. Now she wants Nottinghamshire County Council to actively support local communities seeking to reduce the speed limit from 30 to 20 mph on residential roads.
It’s been an issue in parts of West Bridgford, where she’s a local councillor, and she points to other areas of the country that have benefitted from speed restrictions. Labour colleague Helen Faccio is presenting a petition at the next meeting of Nottinghamshire County Council from residents from Grove Avenue, Chilwell, pressing for a 20 mph speed limit zone.
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“It’s a very narrow road and there have been some near-misses. It’s dangerous,” she said.
Councillor Gowland added: “In Wales, the introduction of 20 mph speed limits on residential roads has seen a big reduction in the number of people hurt, with hundreds of lives saved.” The Labour group wants the county council to introduce speeding curbs on roads, where local communities are in favour of the measure.
“ Slower speeds also reduce the friction on the road surface and that causes less air pollution and damage to the road,” said Councillor Gowland.
Nationally, under guidance from the Department for Transport – “Setting Local Speed Limits – the government has now given local councils the power to introduce 20 mph restrictions on residential roads, where there is public support.
