01.10.15
Government red tape discouraging councils from 20mph zones
A lack of funding and government leadership is at fault for local authorities’ slow adoption of 20mph limits, according to a new study.
The ‘GO 20’ research report, published by road safety charity Brake, suggests that although many councils recognise the cost of installing signage is likely to be outweighed in the long run by crash prevention, it has been enough to discourage some councils.
A Freedom of Information request to all 206 local traffic authorities by the charity highlighted the key stumbling blocks: cost and government guidance.
The report calls on the government to remove red tape by making the guidance less prohibitive. The current guidance on introducing 20mph limits says compliance will be ‘trouble-free’ on roads where average speeds are already 24mph or below. This has been misinterpreted by some councils as meaning 20mph limits should not be introduced on roads with higher average speeds, Brake says.
Brake advocates making 20mph the national default urban speed limit, alongside its 16 GO 20 coalition partners. This would mean could would only have to spend money on installing signs on exceptional roads where 30mph is appropriate.
Dr Tom Fisher, research manager for Brake, said: “At a time when local authority budgets are being slashed by central government, that government has a duty to do what it can to enable those authorities to spend that cash as efficiently as possible. However, when it comes to making streets in their communities safer, the government is tying the hands of cash-strapped councils with out-dated and unnecessary regulation.
“Ultimately, we would like to see 20mph become the default urban speed limit in the UK. In the meantime, the government can remove red tape and show stronger leadership by providing clearer and more positive guidance, and by doing away with the requirement for costly repeater signs.”
A Department for Transport told PSE that that the government is working with councils to make local roads safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
“Research shows that 20mph zones can save lives and we have already made it easier and cheaper for councils to introduce them,” he said. “We are also currently conducting a major research project to examine the best use of 20mph limits and their impact on local communities.”
Emily Humphreys, director of policy and communications at Living Streets, told us: “Walking is the most basic form of transport and regular walkers love it because it’s great for their health, it’s fun, cheap and accessible. Everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy public spaces on foot but people tell us again and again that speeding traffic puts them off and makes them feel unsafe. 20mph limits make the streets where people work, shop and live their lives safer and more attractive.
“Some local councils are leading the way by introducing 20 mph speed limits which significantly improve survival rates of pedestrians involved in road traffic incidents. It’s crucial that red tape doesn’t create a barrier to such an important initiative.”
A 2014 survey by the Institute of Advanced Motorists suggested drivers would oppose a blanket 20mph limit. 49% of drivers either ‘disagreed’ or ‘disagreed strongly’ with the proposal, while 31% either ‘agreed’ or ‘agreed strongly’. A further 20% were neutral. The survey did not, however, include the views of non-drivers.
Women were more likely than men to back the policy, and it was also more popular in Scotland and Wales, and with older drivers. The vast majority of people say roads near schools should be the priority for 20mph zones.
The survey was conducted by Lake Market Research of a representative sample of 1,001 UK drivers.