20mph speed limits for town centres not simple or cheap
Dorset Council responds to calls for 20mph zones.
Imposing 20mph speed limits in all Dorset town centres is not likely to be either a quick or cheap solution to road safety – according to Dorset Council highways brief holder Cllr Ray Bryan.
The idea was suggested by Bridport resident Catriona Ross who said that in recent days two cyclists were involved in collisions with vehicles in the town.
"Vehicle use has to be reduced to combat climate change but the only way to do that is to make people feel safe cycling or walking.
"Why can’t all town centres speed limits be reduced from 30mph to 20mph, a simple and cheap way to make roads safer?"
She added that she had not seen any local action in response to the council’s safe streets consultation.
Cllr Bryan said that limited funding made it impossible to deliver all the schemes suggested by the public and there were other constraints which stopped other ideas being considered.
He said:
"Dorset Council is working with Bridport Town Council to identify priority schemes to improve conditions for people walking and cycling in the town.
"There has been substantial recent investment in provision for people on foot and bike in the town, including access to West Bay from the East Road Roundabout."
But he said that 20mph schemes were not a simple or cheap process and generally took a long time to bring about because of legal and financial constraints.
"A lengthy and costly legal process is required for speed limits to be changed and costs associated with signing for speed limits is often not insignificant, particularly if considering area wide schemes in towns and villages across Dorset.
"I am aware of a growing number of requests for 20mph limits/zones across Dorset and indeed nationally.
"Department for Transport guidance encourages local highway authorities to install more 20mph limits/zones. There is evidence that 20mph limits/zones can help encourage active travel in urban communities and in turn improve emissions.
"However it is recognised that a reduced limit of 20mph may not be appropriate in all locations requested."