More 20mph speed limits
17.12.2009 - Press Association
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New proposals to allow local councils to bring in more 20mph speed-limit areas have been announced by the Government.
Up until now, councils wanting to introduce 20mph limits have to do so in speed zones which require traffic-calming measures.
The latest proposals, announced by Road Safety Minister Paul Clark, do away with the need for the schemes to be accompanied by humps or other measures.
The Government is encouraging councils to introduce the 20mph schemes into residential streets and other roads where cycle and pedestrian traffic is high, such as around schools, shops and parks.
The Government has also renewed its call to local councils to review speed limits on rural roads by 2011. The Government wants councils to consider reducing the 60mph speed limit - possibly to 50mph - on the most accident-prone single-carriageway A and B roads.
The Government proposals were given a cautious today by motoring groups. AA president Edmund King said: "We don't want to see local authorities adopting an over-zealous approach. We're certainly not keen on blanket reductions but the AA and its members back the idea of targeted reductions.
"We also support 20mph zones where needed, but we would like to see more varied speed limits. A 20mph restriction around a school is fine at 8.50am but not so good at 2am. Local authorities must remember that we need roads for movement. They must be careful not to introduce limits that lead to drivers getting impatient and trying to overtake all the time."
