Rushed urban speed limit reductions criticised

ANY RUSH towards blanket 20mph zones on urban roads needs to be slowed down, according to a survey of nearly 25,000 motorists.

Almost 70% of drivers think people should be consulted before 20mph limits are imposed on their street, the AA/Populus survey showed.

More than half (55%) of the 24,351 AA members in the survey said drivers' views should be sought if 20mph zones are introduced in local areas through which they travel.

Support for the introduction of speed cameras along 20mph routes was evenly split, with 41% agreeing to the cameras and 38% disagreeing.

There was more support for bringing in cameras at spots where problems emerge, with 61% in favour.

Just under a third of those surveyed said 20mph limits in built-up areas offered such a great road safety benefit that residents' views did not have to be taken into account.

Drivers in Northern Ireland were most keen to see speed cameras installed to enforce the 20mph limits, while Londoners were most against this.

AA president Edmund King said: "The AA supports the setting up of 20mph speed limits where residents along those roads want them. The need for local democratic approval, at street level, is clearly affirmed by this survey.

"Neighbourhoods face differing challenges from traffic: some may need to slow down their own residents and reduce the risk of accidents, others have a 'rat-running' problem that a 20mph speed limit on its own won't address."

He went on: "The case for lowering speed outside vulnerable locations, such as schools and hospitals, is generally accepted. However, sweeping 20mph restrictions that slow down commuters, business deliveries and services, and the pace of a town or city in general, are not."

By Press Association reporter