More residents being consulted on 20mph

More residents of Brighton & Hove are about to be consulted about proposals to introduce 20mph speed limits in their streets.

The council is writing to to 23,675 homes and businesses in Hangleton, Woodingdean, Ovingdean, Saltdean and Rottingdean asking people whether they want 20mph speed limits in their neighbourhoods. Consultation information is expected to arrive on doormats next week.

The local authority is proposing 20mph in residential streets mainly because research shows that a 20mph speed limit leads to a reduction in road collisions and the severity of casualties.

Early monitoring from Phase 1 in the city centre, which was introduced in April 2013, has shown a decrease in traffic speed on 74 per cent of roads.  The number of collisions and the severity of casualties are down where the 20mph limit has been implemented.

Phase 2, which was implemented in June 2014 covered residential areas from Portslade in the west to Moulsecoomb and Whitehawk in the east and Coldean in the north.  After listening to residents, councillors also agreed to reinstate into Phase 2 a number of streets which were removed at an environment committee meeting last December.  A petition signed by 742 people had called for the re-inclusion of Surrenden Road, Preston Drove and Stanford Avenue.

Lead councillor for Transport Ian Davey said:  “We’re seeing growing levels of support for 20mph as people understand the national research proving it to be safer.  We’ve already seen the benefits of lower limits in central Brighton & Hove with fewer people being hurt on our roads. That means people can gradually feel safer on the streets where they live, making neighbourhoods more accessible and pleasant for everyone.

“I’d urge people to look at the evidence from the many towns and cities with 20mph and the positive evidence we already have here in Brighton & Hove - and support the proposals.”

Depending on the outcome of the consultation, Phase 3 could be introduced in 2015.