The Department of Transport recently reviewed and republished its guidance on Setting Local Speed Limits, Circular 01/06. This placed the responsibility for setting speed limits very clearly with the local authorities. The guidelines are not however rules and simply outline the aspects to take into account when setting speed limits. They also re-inforce the need to take account of vulnerable road users.

The DfT expects local authorities to sometimes work outside these guidelines to meet local community needs and indeed indicates that the "better practice" within the new guidelines has only come about because local authorities had worked outside the previous guidelines. This is particularly the case regarding relaxing the requirements for speed bumps.

However, there is a great deal of pressure on local authorities not to make any changes. Staff resources are limited and 20's Plenty can seem to be a tremendous burden on council staff who are already busy. Sometimes the 01/06 guidelines are taken too literally as rules which are then used to dismiss the possibility of 20 mph defaults.

As more and more councils are being successful in responding to their communities by putting in default 20 mph speed limits in residential streets, then this strict adherence to 01/06 as rules rather than guidelines will gradually be seen as unnecessary.

You may often encounter staff who are far more ready to explain "Why we can't" rather than explore "How we can" when it comes to 20's Plenty. Here are some false road blocks which may be put in your way :-

Speed Bumps

You can't put in 20 mph without physical traffic calming. That is both unpopular and expensive. No-one will want it. NOT CORRECT

Slower journeys

If you slow traffic down to 20 mph then it is obvious that journeys will take 50% longer. This will cause delays and is not acceptable. NOT CORRECT

Police won't enforce it.

The police will not enforce 20 mph. Therefore it will be ignored by motorists. NOT CORRECT

All of these are myths which can be shown to be false. Click on the buttons on the left to see why  they are false and the argument against them.

For further details email rodk@20splentyforus.org.uk or call Rod King on 07973 639781 or Chris Mayes on 0151 706 4464