TRAFFIC chiefs at Warrington have approved a controversial proposal to introduce 20mph speed limits across a wide area of the borough.
A special meeting of the borough council’s traffic committee approved the measure with only one members – Cllr Paul Kennedy – voting against.
He said afterwards: “It is not that I am opposed to 20mph speed limits – I simply have great concerns about the piecemeal way they are being introduced which will mean a high cost for the public purse.
“I think this is a matter for central government – not one that should be dealt with locally.
“Many of the roads involved in the scheme do not need limits because the traffic only travels at about 20mph anyway.
“There is also the issue of enforcement. Drivers who ignore 30mph limits are unlikely to take any notice of 20mph limits.
“In these difficult times we should be very careful about how public money is spent and, perhaps even more importantly, how it is perceived to be spent.”
But the committee approved an officers’ recommendation that the 20mph limit be introduced on roads across Orford, Great Sankey and the town centre.
Six residents had objected – mainly on the grounds that the £25,000 cost of implementing the speed limit could not be justified and that the restriction would, in any case, be unenforceable.
There was also support for the restriction from the Warrington Cycle Campaign and the 20s Plenty for Us campaign.
Pilot schemes were operated last year during which it is claimed injury accidents reduced by 12 per cent and casualties reduced by eight per cent.
The Orford area trial showed an even more significant reduction in casualties, according to the council.
Warrington Cycle Campaign wants the council to “quickly roll out” 20mph limits on all residential roads across the borough.
It has been estimated that such a blanket ban would cost about £740,000 to introduce.
Pictured: Paul Kennedy
20mph speed limits confirmed
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
18 Comments
Bit of an early morning shock to read that only ONE Councillor has a brain.
Well at least Cllr Kennedy had the brains and sense to vote against and like many other people it seems that he has the same concerns about the issues of lack of enforcement, costs and unnecessary spending in some cases. So how long will it be before the blanket roll out is approved then as I believe the 20’s P are holding an open day soon to try and brainwash people with their ‘facts’ and ‘statistics’. Ah well at least there are a few people who will be happy with last nights decision, here’s hoping they were right eh !?
Note Cllr Kennedy’s reasons for voting against the speed limit “It is not that I am opposed to 20mph speed limits………” “In these difficult times we should be very careful about how public money is spent and, perhaps even more importantly, how it is perceived to be spent.” In these difficult times…..when the Lib/Cons are already so unpopular and it’s only weeks away from an election……one needs to be careful to keep up appearances!
But I’m not up for election this May, and actually evidence shows that I try to do the right thing, not that which is politically expedient. With regards to May’s elections, I somehow doubt that 20mph will be an election issue, as those who support it are unlikely to put up candidates to campaign on such an issue.
and did the casualty rate increase again when the signs were painted out for the past few months? Would be interested to know
That would be a far too inconvenient truth!
Now that is something well worth asking before they storm ahead pushing for it to be roll out across the whole of Warrington. By ‘they’ I mean the council, the 20’s Plenty Group and Cycle Campaign Group, or are the latter two one and the same ??
Would also be interesting to know what the actual current casualty figures are for the other areas in Warrington before they jump to agreeing to that too. Might ask that question on the forum 🙂
Actually ‘evidence shows’ that quite often what the Lib/Cons consider ‘the right thing to do’ is the complete opposite of the view held by the residents of Warrington whom the decision affects. Take for example the closures/demolitions of some of the towns schools and the attempted off load of Walton Hall and Gardens (the Exec board unanimously for – 18,000+ people against) With regards to the May elections, you yourself are not up for election, but the overall results will affect you. You doubt that the 20mph limit will be an election issue, as you believe ” those who support it are unlikely to put up candidates to campaign on such an issue.” is that because they realise it is ‘unlikely’ to be popular……and why it is only being enforced prior to the elections in areas that the Lib/Cons are unlikely to win anyway?
I don’t think the 20mph limit in it’s self will be the issue – but the fact that it’s another clear example of the dictatorial way in which this present council works could well be!
At present, the 20mph limit appears to be just another of this council’s wildly fanciful ideas, ill thought out and at £740,000 exorbitantly expensive. Can we have a breakdown of exactly what it is proposed this money will be spent on?
Reply to this comment)
Sha, I really don’t understand your rant. I VOTED AGAINST THE PROPOSAL, and I also said that “I” try and do the right thing. If you want to broaden the debate, then might I suggest you revert to the excellent Forum pages, and not the Headlines section.
Sha, I really don’t understand your rant. I VOTED AGAINST THE PROPOSAL, and I also said that “I” try and do the right thing. If you want to broaden the debate, then might I suggest you revert to the excellent Forum pages, and not the Headlines section.
What
Actually ‘evidence shows’ that quite often what the Lib/Cons consider ‘the right thing to do’ is the complete opposite of the view held by the residents of Warrington whom the decision affects. Take for example the closures/demolitions of some of the towns schools and the attempted off load of Walton Hall and Gardens (the Exec board unanimously for – 18,000+ people against) With regards to the May elections, you yourself are not up for election, but the overall results will affect you. You doubt that the 20mph limit will be an election issue, as you believe ” those who support it are unlikely to put up candidates to campaign on such an issue.” is that because they realise it is ‘unlikely’ to be popular……and why it is only being enforced prior to the elections in areas that the Lib/Cons are unlikely to win anyway? I don’t think the 20mph limit in it’s self will be the issue – but the fact that it’s another clear example of the dictatorial way in which this present council works could well be! At present, the 20mph limit appears to be just another of this council’s wildly fanciful ideas, ill thought out and at £740,000 exorbitantly expensive. Can we have a breakdown of exactly what it is proposed this money will be spent on? Reply to this comment)
Well all that’s left me completely confused 🙂 🙂 Has everyone been out on their bikes today getting too much fresh air or car fumes ?
Paul/Lookingfromafar, youv’e just replied twice….which of your pen names requires the response?
Lookingfromafar, you seem to be agreeing now with every word I say! slip up or cover up?
You will get the usual lies and twisted statistics with regards to this campaign. It is championed by a bunch of cyclists who pay no road tax, no insurance and pay little or no heed to the rules of the road and ride through red lights like the are an inconvenience. Only Paul Kennedy seems to have the right idea and time will tell that the rest of the useless prats in the town hall are all wrong as usual. I have to assume that the Westbrook Traffic Lights supremo David Earl also voted in favour of this nonsense too…… not only is he intent on causing mayhem with his lights, he wants to slow everyone down as well…… Roll on May!
Congratulations to the burghers of Warrington for their wise decision.
As witnessed by the responses to the article above there are some commonly held negative views that the public hold regarding 20mph areas which are usually based on misconceptions or misapprehensions.
• “20mph is too slow for most traffic.” In fact, in most residential areas, the average speed will already be below 30mph. Government guidance for road planners in the Manual for Streets stipulates that all residential areas should be governed by 20mph limits
• “20mph limits require road humps which are a nuisance”. As stated above the average speed in residential areas is likely to be just over 20mph. At this low average speed, the law permits the provision of 20mph areas without road humps.
• “If the average speed of traffic is already low why do we need 20mph zones?” Accident statistics show that the death rate resulting from a collision between a car and a pedestrian is nine times higher for 30mph than it is for 20mph. But a major benefit of a slower speed in residential areas is that the environment is improved for the residents, the street becomes more of a ‘place’ rather than a traffic conduit.
• “20mph zones are already provided near schools. Why do we need them elsewhere?” Pedestrians are a vulnerable class whatever their age and children do not disappear when remote from schools.
“If the average speed of traffic is already low why do we need 20mph zones?”…………………..you ask the question yourself and even provide the answer further up your comment. If speeds ARE already so low in “MOST” residential areas already; why spend s much money to achieve nothing. Just quoting propoganda anbout “accident statistics show this and accident statistics show that” means nothing. If the traffic is already at or around 20 in a 30 zone, your campaign and costs associated with it are pointless