Agenda item

Report to consider the transport implications and requirements for implementing 20mph speed limits and make recommendations for implementation

Jane Roberts (a resident of Coronation Avenue) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 2 and on the Council's website] appealed to the Cabinet to include Coronation Avenue and some neighbouring streets in the 20mph scheme.  She presented a petition with 200 signatures and said that more people were signing every day.  The main concern had been the school on Coronation Avenue, which had 3 crossing patrol people and would benefit greatly if included.

The Chair referred the statement and petition to Councillor Roger Symonds, for consideration and response in due course.

Councillor Tim Ball asked Jane Roberts whether there had been any near accidents in the vicinity during the crossing patrol periods and whether the imposition of a 20mph zone would improve that.  Jane agreed that a 20mph limit would make the children much safer before and after school.

Councillor Charles Gerrish in an ad hoc statement referred to paragraph 2.2 of the report and asked Cabinet to take note that the stretch of Charlton Road, between the British Legion and St Ladoc Road, should not be classified as a main road because of the regular close shaves caused by the sudden narrowing of the road.  He felt that this stretch must be included in the 20mph zone.

Councillor Tim Warren in an ad hoc statement said his Group was mainly in favour of the proposals but had some concerns.  He asked how the zones would be policed, and asked for consultation on a ward-by-ward level.

Peter Duppa Miller in an ad hoc statement asked that in rural areas the Cabinet should consult very carefully because it would be very important to small communities to maximise safety without imposing a clutter of signage.

Councillor Vic Pritchard in an ad hoc statement reminded Cabinet that Ubley Parish Council had once been a keen supporter of such a zone, until it had been implemented because of the ugly signage, particularly in the small roads off the main road.

Councillor Roger Symonds in proposing the item, agreed with Peter Duppa Miller that signage should be minimised.  In response to the comment made by Councillor Charles Gerrish, he agreed that the narrow stretch of Charlton Road could be included.  He referred to Councillor Tim Warren’s question about policing, and agreed that the police were unlikely to police the zones very robustly because of their own stretched resources, but he felt nevertheless that after campaigning for so long that “20 is plenty”, now was the time to implement these plans.  Lowering speeds from 30mph to 20mph would reduce accidents by up to 70%.  He felt that the zones would be mainly self-enforcing.

Councillor Cherry Beath seconded the proposal and said that driving too fast in residential areas was seen by local people as a major issue.

Councillor Tim Ball supported the proposals.  He reported that there had been a 20mph scheme in Twerton for 20 years which had never needed enforcing, although he observed that a small minority of “racers” would never observe any speed limit.  Only one person had ever objected to the scheme.

Councillor Roger Symonds confirmed that the signage would be surrounded by red circles (not green) and would be enforceable.

On a motion from Councillor Roger Symonds, seconded by Councillor Cherry Beath, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To AGREE that subject to public consultation and completion of statutory processes, 20mph speed limits are implemented on residential streets in Bath and North East Somerset;

(2) To EXCLUDE the main traffic routes from 20mph speed limits;

(3) To APPROVE the 2 year delivery programme;

(4) To DELEGATE authority to the Divisional Director Planning and Transport Development in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport to amend and add to the programme as appropriate;

(5) To AGREE that informal consultation will be carried out with stakeholders and residents in streets to be included in each 20mph speed limit area prior to the Order being formally advertised; and

(6) To AGREE that any objections to the Order will be considered by the Cabinet Member for Transport prior to making a Single Member Decision on whether to make the Order.