Even more city residents demanding 20mph

City residents are pressing for another group of streets in Brighton & Hove to have 20mph speed limits.

The eight roads near Hove Park were excluded from Phase 2 of the 20mph roll-out which started on June 16.

It is the second time in recent months the council has had demands for more 20mph limits. In March this year, the council agreed to include Preston Drove, Stanford Avenue and Surrenden Road in Phase 2 after 800 people signed a petition.

Now, another group of residents, many of whom have children in local schools, have sent a delegation to the city council asking for the streets around Hove Park to be made safer. These are Goldstone Crescent, Hove Park Road, Hove Park Way, The Droveway, Orchard Road, Orchard Gardens, Park View Road and Woodland Drive.

The delegation arrived at a recent meeting of the environment, transport and sustainability committee to make their case.  As a result, councillors have asked officers to look into the matter.

In a written submission to the committee, residents said:  “These streets are particularly important because they are between the major schools on either side of Shirley Drive – Hove Park School and Blatchington Mill School to the west, and Cardinal Newman, Cottesmore and others to the east.”  The delegation said the majority of residents in the streets were shown to be in favour in a consultation conducted last year - 122 respondents wanting the limits against 120 opposing.

Lead councillor for transport Ian Davey said:  “It’s highly encouraging that people are actively coming forward wanting 20mph.  This is for the simple reason that you or your children are far more likely to survive being hit by a car at 20mph than you are at 30mph.  This is particularly important given all the schools nearby – and the bi-lingual school planned for Hove Park, which could have up to 600 students.

“That’s why we’re asking officers to look again at this area, giving particular consideration to the needs of children travelling to school and to the popular Hove Park.”

Consultation on the third phase of 20mph limits is due to take place in September.  It would cover Hangleton, Woodingdean, Ovingdean, Saltdean and Rottingdean.

Hear Cllr Davey talking about this issue here.

Cars in Goldstone Crescent