Calls for 20mph speed limits in roads across Christchurch

Christchurch Town Council voiced their support for the ‘20’s Plenty for Christchurch’ campaign at a council meeting on February 6.

The motion had been proposed by Cllr Mike Cox and seconded by Cllr Michael Tarling.

• Read more: Bid to reduce speed limit in Christchurch town centre roads

It calls for 20mph speed limits to be in force in streets throughout the town centre where people live, work, shop, play or learn, with 30mph as the exception on those roads, where full consideration of the needs of vulnerable road users allows a higher limit.

Christchurch Town Council say the exact roads for this reduced speed limit will be decided following a consultation with residents and traders, and that they will take consideration of schools in the area.

They are now set to write to BCP Council's highways department to request the motion.

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Not all council members were in support of the campaign, with some arguing that existing examples showed “little improvement on the roads’ safety and prevention of accidents”.

Cllr Cox said there were various advantages of ‘20’s Plenty for Christchurch’ and said it would be a “tremendous asset to the town”.

He told the Daily Echo: “It will bring a lot of benefits, not least the safety of children going to school, but it will also have environmental benefits. We’ve declared a climate emergency in Christchurch and little has been done about it so far, and this will help in some way towards that.

Councillor Mike Cox (Image: BCP Council)

“It will benefit residents and visitors because it will slow traffic down, and enable them to walk, cycle and do other things.

“Nothing will happen unless it has the backing of residents, so they will be consulted about it. But I’m quite excited to give them the option to improve their quality of their life.”

Councillor Tarling said: “Speaking to people on their doorsteps, we hear a lot of complaints about the speed of traffic. Speeding traffic is a genuine fear for a lot of people.

“By introducing a 20’s Plenty motion, we’re improving the lives of people in Christchurch.

“Some people already live in roads with a 20mph speed limit, and as someone that lives in one, it’s really no issue. You have to ask yourself the question: Would you rather somebody driving 20mph down your road and outside your house, or 30mph plus?”