Wiltshire's half-hearted 20mph policy criticised

After a series of delays WC has produced a policy on 20mph limits in residential areas. This is in response to the publication of a government policy document encouraging the implementation of 20 limits in suitable residential areas because they save lives, reduce injuries, reduce costs of road maintenance and improve quality of life.

However it's no secret that the administration at WC is unenthusiastic about 20 limits.

The policy is currently out for consultation and can be viewed here

Here's a critical analysis of the policy by road safety campaigner Rod King:

Wiltshire's proposed policy on 20 mph speed limits and zones lacks ambition and vision at a time when the benefits of 20mph limits and zones are being increasingly recognised[i] . Other local authorities have been quick to spot the benefits of introducing area-wide 20 mph limits as a default on residential streets with minimal exceptions, and some 12.5 million people already live in Local Authorities where this decision has been taken. A relevant neighbouring example is Bath and North East Somerset who agreed in April 2012 to allocate £500K of their transport budget to a 2 year delivery programme which would implement 20mph speed limits on their residential streets, subject to public consultation and completion of statutory processes, and excluding main traffic routes [ii].

Particular concerns with Wiltshire's policy include the following:

• The policy looks quite narrowly at the use of speed limits, focusing on existing speeds and signage. It fails to consider the need for public engagement, education and publicity which also need to be part of the package which will inform the public of the need and benefits of lower speeds.
• The notion that appropriate speed limits can somehow be 'rationed' to a maximum of two locations per Area Board per annum [proposed policy para 6.1-6.2] is not consistent with the statutory responsibility to set appropriate speed limits for all roads.
• The funding for implementation of 20 mph limits is restricted to funding already allocated to Community Area Transport Groups [proposed policy para 7.2]. This is only a small proportion of the integrated transport budget which central government makes available to Wiltshire Council each year. Other local authorities are finding a wide range of sources of funding including from Public Health, Section 106 and development funds, Local Sustainable Transport fund etc.
• The wider benefits which accrue from 20 mph limits and zones - in terms of lower noise, a safer environment for healthier active travel, greater mobility for children and the elderly and a better and safer built environment have not been adequately considered.
• There is misinformation regarding the current DfT guidance - e.g. no recognition that limits and zones can use carriageway roundels rather than repeater signs [see Q.6 of FAQs in App B of policy]
• The policy as drafted will only consider 20 mph limits when mean 'before' speeds are at or below 24mph, when the DfT guidance suggests that an appropriate speed limit should be set and other measures (publicity, education, traffic calming etc) should be used to gain compliance if inappropriate speed is an issue.
• The manner in which this policy is being introduced - as a delegated decision by a Cabinet member with no opportunity for public debate - is unacceptable. The options for a more far-reaching policy using more of the funding available to Wiltshire Council need to be considered.

There is widespread popular support for 20 mph limits in residential areas. In the 2012 British Social Attitude Survey 72% of those surveyed said 20mph is the right speed limit for residential roads with only 11% being against.[iii] This current half-hearted policy proposed for Wiltshire should be withdrawn and replaced by something which better reflects both public opinion and the latest Government guidance[iv] and which considers wider funding sources for the implementation of a county-wide programme of 20mph limits in residential areas as is being introduced elsewhere.