Given we are currently focused on our local roads (though speed has not been the main issue over the last few days), it seemed timely to create this post in response to Living Streets‘ new campaign (see their press release below) to persuade Councils to move faster on creating more 20 mph speed limits.
In January of this year the Department of Transport issued new guidance giving Councils more freedom to create 20 mph zones. Road safety is a topic that is periodically raised here on the Blog and with Parwich Parish Council. Previously there has been some local support for creating such a zone in Parwich; the Peak Park Authority would potentially support this, but historically the County Council has been resistant to schemes in villages such as Parwich.
Does the new government guidance give us a chance to raise this again? Is this also an issue for Alsop en le Dale, Ballidon and Pikehall? Will ‘part night’ street lighting impact on what are safe speeds? What are your thoughts?
Living Streets Press Release dated 27/3/2013
Councils need to move quicker for slower speeds, says Living Streets
Local councils are being slow to respond to Government guidance which say 20 mph speed limits should be considered as a ‘priority for action’ on England’s roads, says Living Streets which launches it’s ‘Show you Love 20 mph’ campaign today (25 March 2013).
Government figures show 453 pedestrians were killed on UK roads in 2011, the equivalent of a recent major train crash happening every week, says the charity. A significant number of those lives could have been saved if more local authorities were acting on the guidance and introducing area-wide 20 mph speed limits.
Living Streets’ Chief Executive, Tony Armstrong, said:
It’s a scandal. If this number of people had lost their lives travelling by train or bus there would be an outcry, an inquiry, and immediate action taken to improve safety measures. The Government has given councils the green light to introduce more 20 mph speed limits which is quite simply an opportunity to save lives. Lowering speeds is proven to increase survival rates and has the support of the majority of people[1]. Go to the Living Streets website and let your local council know why you would love 20 mph in your neighbourhood.
Council in cities such as Bristol and Portsmouth have implemented 20 mph limits while Islington in London is now 20 mph across the borough including main roads. The majority of the public support 20 mph speed limits on streets where people live, work and shop say the charity.
Living Streets is asking the public to tell their local council why they ‘love 20 mph’ via an email from its website at www.livingstreets.org.uk/love-20mph
[1] The recent British Attitudes Survey showed that 71% of the public supported 20 mph limits.
PARWICH.ORG 
I have known cyclists ride at greater speed than 20mph, should we in fact go back to having a man with a red flag walk in front of the vehicles we drive.I am sure there are other more pressing issues to be considered.
I agree with Terry that some cyclists ride even faster than 20 mph, including young people cycling down the hill on Creamery Lane….!
However, I am all for reducing the speed limit in the village itself, even though I won’t find it particularly easy to keep down my own speed.
I have always worried about (young) people walking or cycling down our drive and emerging into Creamery Lane. Cars coming down the lane, not necessarily doing more than 30 mph, would never be able to stop in time at that point if they were driving at anywhere near 30 mph.
Without pavements across most of the village, we should do everything to make the village a safer place to walk (and cycle!).
However, without some enforcement (not necessarily a fine) it may not stop persistent ‘offenders’ from speeding. I feel that this issue should be given some thought alongside the above.
(PS: I hereby declare my personal interest, having young grandchildren staying with me occasionally ….)
With the greatest of respect if young people are not well versed in the rules of the road wether cycling or even walking( it used to be the green cross code )then they should be under the strictest of supervision when on the highway.
If there is a problem with people breaking the 30mph speed limit then they should be dealt with by the law. Surely if you feel that youngsters are at risk then wouldnt it be prudent of any responsible parent not to let them onto the road in the first place.