Issue - items at meetings - Deputations

(The closing date for receipt of deputations is 12 noon on 28 October 2010)

(a)         Citywide 20mph speed limit (copy attached).

56(a)      Deputation – citywide 20mph speed limits

56.1               The Cabinet Member considered a deputation from Mr Chris Murgatroyd on behalf of residents of Goldsmid Ward calling for the introduction of a policy of reducing speed limits on roads primarily for residential use and on those roads with a high number of vulnerable users, as recommended by a recent scrutiny panel report. Mr Murgatroyd stated that the decision made by the Cabinet Member at his meeting on 16 September would result in a partial approach that could cause confusion, unfairness and cost more than adopting a citywide approach, which would be less arbitrary and result in improved safety and quality of life for all residents. Mr Murgatroyd pointed out that the national guidance on speed limits allowed 20mph limits to be applied – even on those roads with average speeds already more than 24mph – as long as there was a strategy for traffic-calming, such as the strategy recommended by the scrutiny panel for incremental calming only where it was really needed.

56.2               The Cabinet Member explained that he had accepted the principles of the recommendations made in the Scrutiny Panel’s report, but that he had felt that Recommendation 1, regarding priority areas, was too broad and that some greater priority order needed to be created. He had therefore agreed that the first priority would be the roads in the vicinity of schools.

A Speed Limit Review had also been agreed and would inform the requirements for a wider use of 20mph limits/zones, including necessary measures and costs.

The Council was committed to reducing speeds, not just speed limits and therefore simply putting up signs would not be effective or supported by Sussex Police and, would not conform to the Department for Transport guidance. It could also create a false sense of security creating a greater risk to road safety.

The Cabinet Member advised that for the reasons given, his decision of 16 September would remain unchanged.

56.3               RESOLVED – That the deputation be noted.