Pompey blanket 20mph limit

At
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/ViewArti...icleID=1423412

QUOTE
City to get 20mph speed limit
EVERY residential road in Portsmouth is to become a 20mph zone in a bid
to cut accidents and save lives.
But opponents have warned the new limits will turn Portsmouth into
'tortoise town'.

The 20mph decision was made as councillors voted last night to agree
the city council's local transport plan, which included a £250,000
fund to reduce the speed limit in residential streets.

The move will be brought in street by street - and only major routes
like Copnor Road, London Road, Northern Road and the motorway will be
exempt.

Tory councillor Malcolm Hey, who went into the chamber brandishing a
plastic tortoise, said: 'Instead of flagship city we are in danger of
becoming tortoise town, with travel only slightly faster than a snail's
pace. We get enough practice at moving at 20mph in traffic jams. When
we can move safely at 30mph let's do so.'
ENDQUOTE

Sorry, I don't know any more but am about to investigate. I didn't
think this sort of thing was possible - I'm sure the police won't
approve.

Anyway, what do you think of the idea?

Not Responding wrote:
At
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/ViewArti...icleID=1423412

QUOTE
City to get 20mph speed limit
EVERY residential road in Portsmouth is to become a 20mph zone in a bid
to cut accidents and save lives.
But opponents have warned the new limits will turn Portsmouth into
'tortoise town'.

The 20mph decision was made as councillors voted last night to agree
the city council's local transport plan, which included a £250,000
fund to reduce the speed limit in residential streets.

The move will be brought in street by street - and only major routes
like Copnor Road, London Road, Northern Road and the motorway will be
exempt.

Tory councillor Malcolm Hey, who went into the chamber brandishing a
plastic tortoise, said: 'Instead of flagship city we are in danger of
becoming tortoise town, with travel only slightly faster than a snail's
pace. We get enough practice at moving at 20mph in traffic jams. When
we can move safely at 30mph let's do so.'
ENDQUOTE

Sorry, I don't know any more but am about to investigate. I didn't
think this sort of thing was possible - I'm sure the police won't
approve.

Anyway, what do you think of the idea?

Is 'the motorway' a 'residential road' in Portsmouth?

I wonder how long will it be before the idea of 'appropriate speed'
sinks into these peoples heads. Is 20 mph always safe in a residential
street? Is anything over 20 mph always dangerous in _every_ residential
street?

--
Matt B

Not Responding wrote:

Anyway, what do you think of the idea?

I think it will be totally ignored unless they put cameras everywhere.
People are too used to driving in 4th gear at a minimum, and 20mph is
the lower limit of 3rd (on the flat, you'd need 2nd uphill) for most cars.

It may actually increase drive-by noise because of the lower gears being
used (though the lower tyre noise may compensate for this). I support
20mph for estate roads and narrow roads of terraced houses, but this
seems doomed to fail.

"Not Responding" wrote in message
Sorry, I don't know any more but am about to investigate. I didn't
think this sort of thing was possible - I'm sure the police won't
approve.

Anyway, what do you think of the idea?

In Kingston upon Hull we got our first 20 mph zone in 1994 and have about
130 zones now. I took a picture of each one:

http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/page361.htm

From Transport 2000:

http://www.transport2000.org.uk/good...dPracticeID=21

Residents can request a 20mph zone for their street and the Council will
look into it.


--
Simon Mason
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net

Not Responding wrote:
At
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/ViewArti...icleID=1423412

QUOTE
City to get 20mph speed limit
EVERY residential road in Portsmouth is to become a 20mph zone in a bid
to cut accidents and save lives.
But opponents have warned the new limits will turn Portsmouth into
'tortoise town'.

snip

way, what do you think of the idea?

It's gridlocked anyway. Wont make bugger all difference.

Sorry, I don't know any more but am about to investigate. I didn't
think this sort of thing was possible - I'm sure the police won't
approve.

Anyway, what do you think of the idea?

Don't know if it's a good idea or not, but it'll be totally pointless unless
it's enforced.

--
John Clayton
www.calder-clarion.co.uk

I wonder how long will it be before the idea of 'appropriate speed' sinks
into these peoples heads.

If I thought you meant drivers when you say "these people" I'd agree.
Until such time as drivers start slowing down of their own accord then we
need to keep things simple.

POHB wrote:
I wonder how long will it be before the idea of 'appropriate speed' sinks
into these peoples heads.

If I thought you meant drivers when you say "these people" I'd agree.
Until such time as drivers start slowing down of their own accord then we
need to keep things simple.

Given that most 'accidents' happen within the speed limit, which implies
that the speed was nevertheless inappropriate for the circumstances, I
hope you'll agree therefore that 'keeping things simple' (by which I
assume you mean posting a limit) does not work that well. If _all_
limits were enforced 100% most 'accidents' (seeing as they occur at
speeds within the limit) would still happen.

Lowering limits until 'accidents' stop will surely only end when all
speed limits are 0 mph.

Something slightly more imaginative than speed limits is required IMHO.

--
Matt B

Not Responding wrote:
EVERY residential road in Portsmouth is to become a 20mph zone in a bid
to cut accidents and save lives.

Anyway, what do you think of the idea?

Bloody brilliant. If properly enforced, it /will/ cut accidents, save
lives, and reduce pollution. Point your councillor at Sheffield; we've
had 20 mph zones in some residential areas, enforced by lots of
on-street parking :-(, speed tables :-), and occasional police blitzes.
Through drivers avoid them now, cutting down their rat-runability,
and it's pleasant to cycle and walk in those areas.

I bet Malcolm Hey doesn't live on a residential rat-run in Portsmouth...

R.

Richard wrote:

I bet Malcolm Hey doesn't live on a residential rat-run in
Portsmouth...

http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/yourcouncil/1148.html

Councillor Malcolm Hey (Cons)
Conservative for Copnor (until May 2008)

1d Merrivale Road
Hilsea
Portsmouth
PO2 0TJ

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.sr... 26&ay=103284

Or:

http://tinyurl.com/p45es

Seems Malcolm's a sucker for punishment.