Nearly 100 formal objections to the Traffic Order, which would create a wide area 20 mph speed limit in the west of York, were received by the Council. This is one of the largest ever responses to the formal advertising of a Traffic Order in the City.
Had the consultation leaflet issued by the Council included a simple “yes or no” survey form then the response is likely to have been much higher.
Many residents did not receive the leaflet. The Council claimed to only have delivered 13,000 leaflets to the 20,000 homes in west York.
240 residents signed up to an Epetition opposing Labour’s plan
Public opinion polls in the area have consistently shown that over 80% of residents are opposed to the plan which will cost taxpayers over £600,000 to implement.
Accident levels after 20 mph speed limit introduced in Portsmouth and Oxford. click to enlarge
The Press are running their own “on line” poll on the issue click here
An officer report which will be presented to a decision meeting scheduled for Friday 19th July (4:30pm at West Offices & open to the public) raises even more concerns about the effect that the change could have on accident numbers.
In two Cities (Portsmouth and Oxford), which “pioneered” wide area 20 mph speed limits, the total number of road accidents continue to increase (see left).
The trend in York – which mirrors the national trend – has been for accident levels to fall over the last 5 years.
Perhaps even more surprisingly, the report reveals that even those residents in Bristol who identified speed as a major concern believe – after a brief honeymoon period – that the problem had actually worsened since the City introduced the 20 mph limit.
60% thought that the new limits hadn’t made roads safer.
Post 20 mph speed limit Bristol residents views click to enlarge
There can really be no reason to press ahead with the new limits other than stubborn political dogma.
The £600,000 is desperately needed to improve safety on roads which do have high accident records. In particular, to improve enforcement of the existing 30 mph speed limit on some roads.
Residents have two final opportunities to persuade the Council to pull back from the brink.
Written representations can be emailed to the following address with a request that they be circulated at – or before – the decision meeting laura.bootland@york.gov.uk copied to cllr.dmerrett@york.gov.uk .
The representations should be made before 5:00pm on Wednesday 17th July
You can register to attend and speak at the meeting. You must register before 5:00pm on Thursday 18th July. Telephone Laura Bootland on (01904) 552062 to register
As Cllr Merrett has publicly said that he intends to press ahead with the new limits and overrule residents views, it is likely that opposition Councillors will “call in” any such decision for further consideration.