Many local authorities have decided that their communities want 20 mph as the default for their residential streets. The question for LA's is not "whether" they will implement it but "how".

The recent DfT Circular 1/06 certainly relaxed the requirements for speed bumps associated to be mandatory for 20 mph and and stated that :-

• "The Department encourages and supports 20 mph limits and zones in situations where
  there is a particular risk to vulnerable road users." (Section 5, p18)
   
• "20 mph - In town centres, residential areas and in the vicinity of schools where there is a high presence of vulnerable road users" (Appendix C, p41)
   
• "local speed limits that better reflect the needs of all road users, not just motorised
  vehicles" (Section 2, p6)

Unfortunately most traffic engineers in town have have spent decades working to reflect the needs of motorised road users at the expense of vulnerable road users. Many are still locked into a culture of maximising vehicle throughput despite the clear evidence that this merely encourages motor driven transport so balancing out any congestion improvements.

North Tyneside is implementing 20's Plenty:-

North Tyneside Council has made orders for 20mph speed limits in several local estates, as part of a programme to cut road casualties. The limit will apply to nearly 80 roads, a number of them near schools. Extensive consultations have been carried out with residents and the police. Enforcement measures vary: some streets have no traffic calming features, whilst speed cushions and humps have been installed or are planned for others. www.northtyneside.gov.uk

Norwich City Councillors recently unanimously voted to make 20 mph limit in residential streets a priority for 2008/9. Whilst the final decision will be down to the Norfolk County Traffic Authority it is significant that all parties in Norwich have voted for this important community initiative.

Oxford City Council is planning to become the first city with a complete 20 mph speed limit. They are favouring the "big bang" approach whereby all roads will be converted to 20 mph. Ian Hespeth, cabinet member for transport, said :-

"It would be easier for everyone to understand, with everything changing on a particular day."

see recent reports in Oxford Mail

Leicester is implementing a phased roll-out of 20 mph across the whole town.

Bristol has plans for nearly o third of the city to be set at 20 mph as its maximum speed.

Colchester is investigating all of its residential streets being set a speed of 20 mph.

Warrington is trialling a 20 mph speed limit across the whole of Orford, Longford and Hulme districts as part of its implementation of a default 20 mph speed limit.

For further details email rodk@20splentyforus.org.uk or call Rod King on 07973 639781 or Chris Mayes on 0151 706 4464