Neighbourhoods may get speed cut

York Council has come under increasing pressure to introduce the lower speed limit on all of the city's roads as campaigners claimed the move would reduce fatalities.

But the council's executive member for city strategy, Coun Steve Galloway, defended his decision to ditch the city-wide scheme, which would cost up to 1m to introduce.

He said: "I do not believe a scheme involving that amount of cash can be justified when there is no clear evidence it will save lives. Money is extremely tight at the moment, but we will consider representations for lowering the speed limit in specific areas." The Yorkshire Post revealed last week that calls for a city-wide 20mph zone were due to be rejected.

Fishergate has had a 20mph zone introduced following a trial, and a similar pilot will be launched in South Bank in the next few weeks. The council has received dozens of requests for other 20mph zones to be enforced, although none have yet to be approved.