Decision on Norwich 20mph limits expected in March

12.35.00pm GMT Mon 1st Feb 2010

A crunch decision on the Liberal Democrat campaign to get a 20mph blanket limit in the city's residential streets will be taken at the March meeting of the Norwich Joint Highways Committee.

Three years ago Norwich Liberal Democrats first proposed the idea and at last week's Joint Highways Committee Eaton Liberal Democrat City Councillor Judith Lubbock asked the Chair when the key report on the issue would be discussed.

She commented "Now that we have been given the March 25th date I am hopeful that this issue will be fully considered with experience from other councils such as Portsmouth. Early indications are that casualties are 15% less than before the speed limit was introduced. Their experience along with the trials carried out in three areas of the city do show that it is something that residents want and can play an important part in making our roads safer for the young, the vulnerable, pedestrians and cyclists. It is also a cost effective way of dealing with the issue - signs cost less and are more acceptable than speed humps."

The campaign has also been boosted by a positive statement from the Government's Road Safety Minister Paul Clark.

He said in a December press release "We have seen that 20 mph zones with traffic calming measures can make a real difference to the safety of local roads. But we've also looked at the latest research and listened to councils and residents who want to introduce 20 mph limits on a series of roads where physical traffic calming measures aren't possible or practical"

"Allowing councils to put in place 20 mph speed limits on more streets without speed humps or chicanes will mean that they can introduce them at a lower cost and with less inconvenience."

Judith would very much like to hear peoples' views prior to that March meeting and her contact details are telephone: 504126 or email j.lubbock@cllr.norwich.gov.uk