Campaigners call for blanket 20mph speed limit zones in Chester

QUOTE:

Cyclists in Chester have joined forces with road safety campaigners to
call for the blanket implementation of a 20mph speed limit in
residential areas throughout the city, rather than adopting a street-
by-street approach to the issue.

In November, the Conservative-controlled Chester West and Chester
Council voted to adopt 20mph zones throughout residential areas last
year, but plans to consult with residents in individual areas ahead of
consultation.

Simon Brown of the Chester Cycling Campaign told Chester First: “Many
council areas across England have now adopted a default 20 mph limit
for their residential areas and have seen the consequent benefits in
reductions of children and young people, elderly and cyclist casualty
figures in their areas.

“For example, Warrington and Wirral Councils have both adopted this
approach. There is now plenty of evidence that a ‘whole area’ approach
rather than a ‘piecemeal approach’ is effective at making areas where
people live much safer and more pleasant by significantly reducing
traffic speeds and modifying driver behaviour.

“Unfortunately Cheshire West and Chester Council, despite recognising
the benefits of lower speeds for vulnerable highway users, have left
it to local lobbying on a street by street basis to implement 20 mph
speed limits,” he continued.

“This is not only costly in terms of councillor, officer and council
time to deal with but is wasteful as areas across the borough are
gradually included in the lower speed areas, as signage is put up and
then changed as areas change.

“Not only that but sporadic and piecemeal 20 mph limit areas do not
have a great effect on driver behaviour either.”

Next Monday 30 January at 7pm, Rod King from the road safety campaign
group 20’s Plenty, will be addressing the Cheshire West and Chester
Council’s city community forum on the issue at the Westminster
Building, University of Chester, Parkgate Road.

When the proposals for 20mph zones were voted through by Chester West
and Chester Council last November, one Conservative council member,
Eveleigh Moore-Dutton, quoted in the Chester Chronicle, said that
while she backed 20mph zones in general, she felt there were areas
where the existing speed limit of 30mph should be retained.

“I am in favour of 20mph speed limits,” she maintained. “I think they
bring great benefits but I’m also a passionate and pragmatic believer
in localism which means that we use the evidence that comes from
people’s proven desires, coupled with the evidence of need, to ensure
that 20mph speed limits are introduced in the areas where they will be
most effective and where they have community support,” she added.

Labour Councillor David Robinson pointed out that in the four months
since the current council had been installed in May last year, on
30mph roads in its area “we have had 201 casualties in four months -
23 were pedestrians, 32 were cyclists and sadly there were two
fatalities.

“In other words a quarter of those casualties have actually been
vulnerable road users.”

http://road.cc/content/news/51115-ca...-zones-chester

--
Simon Mason

On Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:50:41 -0800 (PST), Simon Mason
wrote:

Cyclists in Chester have joined forces with road safety campaigners to
call for the blanket implementation of a 20mph speed limit in
residential areas throughout the city, rather than adopting a street-
by-street approach to the issue.

Or more correctly,

"Cyclists in Chester have joined forces with road safety campaigners
to call for the blanket implementation of a 20mph speed limit for all
vehicles except bicycles in residential areas throughout the city."

On Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:50:41 -0800 (PST), Simon Mason
wrote:

QUOTE:

Cyclists in Chester have joined forces with road safety campaigners to
call for the blanket implementation of a 20mph speed limit in
residential areas throughout the city, rather than adopting a street-
by-street approach to the issue.

In November, the Conservative-controlled Chester West and Chester
Council voted to adopt 20mph zones throughout residential areas last
year, but plans to consult with residents in individual areas ahead of
consultation.

Simon Brown of the Chester Cycling Campaign told Chester First: “Many
council areas across England have now adopted a default 20 mph limit
for their residential areas and have seen the consequent benefits in
reductions of children and young people, elderly and cyclist casualty
figures in their areas.


Of course cyclists will be able to ignore the "blanket ban" and bike through
the children, young people and elderly as fast as they can (and do)

On Jan 26, 11:20*am, Peter Parry wrote:
On Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:50:41 -0800 (PST), Simon Mason

wrote:
Cyclists in Chester have joined forces with road safety campaigners to
call for the blanket implementation of a 20mph speed limit in
residential areas throughout the city, rather than adopting a street-
by-street approach to the issue.

Or more correctly,

*"Cyclists in Chester have joined forces with road safety campaigners
to call for the blanket implementation of a 20mph speed limit for all
vehicles except bicycles in residential areas throughout the city."

God, yes. I never realised. And the result will be a hecatomb, won't
it?

On Jan 26, 11:36*am, Squashme wrote:
On Jan 26, 11:20*am, Peter Parry wrote:

On Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:50:41 -0800 (PST), Simon Mason

wrote:
Cyclists in Chester have joined forces with road safety campaigners to
call for the blanket implementation of a 20mph speed limit in
residential areas throughout the city, rather than adopting a street-
by-street approach to the issue.

Or more correctly,

*"Cyclists in Chester have joined forces with road safety campaigners
to call for the blanket implementation of a 20mph speed limit for all
vehicles except bicycles in residential areas throughout the city."

God, yes. I never realised. And the result will be a hecatomb, won't
it?

We now have 138 different 20mph in Kingston Upon Hull and casualty
rates are at an all time low.
Win - win as the late Matt B used to say.

--
Simon Mason