Support 20mph limit for residential streets

10.15.25am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 18th Aug 2009

In a letter to the local press Judith Lubbock, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Eaton, calls on the public to support 20mph speed limit trials in Norwich.

Dear Editor,

Living Streets have published a report which highlighted the fact that children are not playing out on the streets where they live. (EDP 14/8) Alongside this report the Living Streets charity are encouraging Local Authorities to establish 20 mph zones in residential streets. The two issues are of course linked. If traffic were travelling at 20 mph or slower the streets would be safer for children to be out on whether walking or cycling to school or just playing. But its not only for the benefit of children, other vulnerable groups such as the elderly would benefit from slower speeds, and a shift from driving to walking and cycling would make us all healthier. A speed limit of 20 mph has the potential to reduce child casualties by up to 67%.

Norwich already has 3 areas where 20 mph limits are being trialed. That is 20 mph signs but no costly engineering works.The Joint Highways Committee (County and City Councils) are due to receive a report on 24th September on these trials and to decide whether to make them permanent and to roll out 20 mph to all residential streets in the city.

Let's make sure that Norwich doesn't miss this opportunity to bring back a sense of community to our residential streets. I would urge residents to contact the council to get behind the 20 mph scheme to ensure that streets are safer for everyone.

They can do this by visiting the council website on www.norwich.gov.uk or call 0844 980 3333, email:transport@norwich.gov.uk or write to Norwich City Council, City Hall, St Peter's Street, Norwich NR2 1NH

Yours sincerely,

Liberal Democrat Councillor

Judith Lubbock