Public given say on plans for 20mph limit outside homes

The scheme is designed to improve road safety in residential streets and this week residents living in the areas directly affected by the proposals will receive a leaflet outlining the plans.

As part of a phased city-wide rollout Acomb, Holgate, Dringhouses & Woodthorpe and Westfield are the next wards to be considered for lower speed limits as part of the scheme designed to promote considerate driving and make walking and cycling more attractive.

Coun Dave Merrett, York Council’s cabinet member for transport, planning and sustainability, said: “With significant reductions of up to 3mph (average speeds) in parts of Fishergate ward as a direct result of introducing a lower speed limit, this should prove to be a cost-effective approach.

“Residents now have the chance to see the plans and offer their views on them.

“The introduction of lower speed limits reduces speeds, giving drivers more time to react to the presence of other road users, and reducing the likelihood and scale of any potential remaining accidents.”

Proposals considering how 20mph zones might be best introduced in the West of York as well as Bishopthorpe, Copmanthorpe and Bishophill, can be viewed online by visiting www.york20mph.org.

Plans are also available to view at York Explore Library Learning Centre, local libraries in the West of York, and the Energise sports centre.

The plans aim to ensure that by this summer the majority of residential roads and neighbourhoods in the district will have a lower speed limit.

The signed-only 20mph speed limits are designed to be largely self-enforcing.

Insp Michael Barron of North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group, said: “Speeding is one of the major concerns highlighted by members of the public.

“Not only is inappropriate and excessive speed a cause of deaths and serious injuries, but it can affect people’s quality of life.”

For further information people can also follow @york20mph on Twitter or like York20mph on Facebook.