From Local Transport Today
Area-wide 20mph limits are not for us – Norfolk
Norfolk: no to area-wide 20 mph speed
limits
Norfolk
County Council has ruled out introducing area-wide 20mph speed limits in its
urban areas, saying they deliver little benefit in terms of accident
reduction. The DfT published a new speed limit circular in January,
which supports the implementation of area-wide 20mph speed limits, something
the previous 2006 circular advised against (LTT25 Jan).
But Norfolk’s director of
environment, transport and development, Mike Jackson, told councillors last
week: “Within Norfolk at present, the commitment of funds to the implementation
of ‘blanket’ 20mph schemes would not offer good value for money compared to
other measures to reduce casualties.” He added: “The council should continue to
prioritise schemes that target reductions in killed and serious injuries and
should not divert resources to area-wide 20mph speed restrictions, which offer
little benefit in this regard.”
Norfolk
is interested in the DfT’s invitation for councils to come forward with
applications for 40mph zonal rural speed limits. “There is scope within
Norfolk to identify a rural zonal speed limit trial area,” said Jackson. He said
the most suitable area would be within the North Norfolk coastal area and that a
study would be needed to determine the “extent, costs and benefits”.
Norfolk has just updated its
speed management strategy in association with Norfolk Constabulary. References
to Home Zones and Quiet Lanes have been deleted in line with their removal from
the DfT’s own circular. Norfolk says Home Zones are “principally an issue for
new development and are covered in the council’s guidance to developers”.
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