Twenty is plenty! Slower traffic speeds are achievable
23 January 2008
Safer streets and cleaner air for walking, cycling and children playing can all be achieved when drivers slow down, say the Greens.
Supporting the “20 is Plenty” campaign, the Greens are calling on Brighton & Hove City Council to implement more 20mph speed limits.
Ian Davey Green Party Councillor for St Peters & North Laine and the party's transport spokesperson (pictured below) said, “At the moment, speed limits in Brighton & Hove are a bit piecemeal, which can be confusing for everyone.
"It is one reason why they are sometimes not adhered to.
"We have 20mph limits in some residential areas, outside some schools and on some city centre roads.
"We believe this could go a lot further.
"What we need to do is adopt a 20mph limit for all roads other than major arterial routes. The Green Party would like the Brighton & Hove to follow the lead of authorities like Portsmouth City Council (http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/8403.html) and aim for 20mph limits across most of the city.
"This will help drivers develop a habit of driving at a safer speed, cut congestion, boost confidence for walkers and cyclists, and contribute towards a better quality of life for everyone.
"We all know that speed kills, in fact the city council’s own Road Safety Plan says that reducing speed “can be the difference between death and survival for pedestrians and cyclists involved in collisions with motor vehicles.
"Studies now show that making our roads safer by reducing traffic speeds is the best thing that we can do to encourage a shift towards sustainable transport, particularly walking and cycling."
The Commission for Integrated Transport also identifies creating area wide 20mph limits as "the one critical success factor underpinning best practice in promoting walking, cycling and public transport as alternatives to the private car". (http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/news_and_info/news.php?id=361).
Ian added: "Our Local Transport Plan (LTP) sets out a bold vision for reduced car dependency in this city, but it fails to prioritise speed reduction as a way of achieving this.
"If we are serious about wanting more people to walk and cycle in Brighton & Hove we must make it safer for them to do so. Slowing down traffic is proven as the best way of achieving this."
Notes to editors:
Media: for more information contact Lizzie Deane, External Communications Co-ordinator, on 07899 843206[ENDS]
