Minister's blanket 20mph urban Limit rejected by DfT
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CALLS BY PARLIAMENTARY under-secretary of state for transport Norman Baker to reduce all urban speed limits to 20mph on safety grounds have been dismissed by his own department.
Baker was quoted in the national press citing studies and test schemes that had seen significant reductions in pedestrian and cyclist casualties when hit hy a vehicle travelling at 20mph. as opposed to one doing 30mph.
However, a spokeswoman for the Department for Transport (DfT) says that currently there are no plans to change the 30mph default speed limit.
"To do so would have huge resource implications and place additional burdens on local authorities, which are already free to implement 20mph limits where they decide it is appropriate," she adds Malcolm Bingham, head of road network management policy at the Freight Transport Association, says he was surprised that Baker was making noises about such a proposal as the previous government had run a policy where local authorities could choose to introduce a 20mph limit on a case-bycase basis.
"There are a lot of these schemes around at the moment and where our members have had concerns is on signage.
"If an area changes from 30mph to 20mph without the correct signage, drivers will forget and break the law by mistake.
"I would also ask, do you really need a 20mph limit around schools during holiday times? And how is it going to he enforced?"
Road Haulage Association director of communications Kate Gibbs adds: "We support the change in speed limits as long as it can he proved in areas where there is evidence it is effective. It should not just be slapped on to any area."
Baker was unavailable for comment.
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