Pressure Grows For 20 MPH Speed Limits

Some cycle campaigners and CDT supporters argue that limiting the speed of vehicular traffic can have a major impact on the perceived levels of danger on the roads and lead to increases in levels of cycling.

Several UK towns and cities have begun implementing district-wide 20 mph speed limits with popular support.  The arguments for such an approach can be persuasive.  Portsmouth have taken the initiative and implemented a default 20 mph speed limit throughout their town in all except main arterial routes.

20’s Plenty For Us is a national organisation which was formed in order to campaign for the implementation of 20 mph as the default speed limit on residential roads in the UK.  They cite research which shows that the vast majority of the public would like 20 mph on residential roads.  In addition, recent changes in Department of Transport guidelines have relaxed the rules governing speed limit changes.  As a result of this, in many residential areas 20 mph limits may be set without any physical measures at all.

20’s Plenty have published guidance for Local Authorities on the implementation of 20 mph speed limits. The guide sets out the benefits of introducing 20 mph limits and includes an overview of the implementation of such limits around the country to date.

20’s Plenty have published a leaflet which we are making available here to allow vistitors to read up on the arguments and make their minds up whether such an approach should form part of Chester’s Cycle Demonstration Town project.

Click here to visit the 20’s Plenty For Us website.

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