Most of Brighton and West Hove will have a 20mph speed limit after a vote by councillors today (Wednesday 11 December).
Conservative and Labour members of Brighton and Hove City Council voted to exempt a few roads which are heavily used by buses and taxis.
Then, with the Greens, they all agreed to go ahead with the next stage – phase 2 – of the 20mph programme.
The decision was taken at Hove Town Hall at a special meeting of the council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee.
Speed limit orders will be advertised shortly, giving objectors one last chance to raise their concerns as the orders are subject to consultation.
The final sign-off for the second phase of the three-phase scheme is expected to be given in March.
The first phase went live in April when the 20mph came into force throughout much of central Brighton and Hove.
A report to councillors today said that the scheme’s aims were
- to reduce the risk, number and severity of road collisions and casualties
- to help create pleasant, people-centred streets and public space
- to encourage and enable more active travel
- to encourage and enable independent mobility for children, older and other vulnerable people
The extended area covers much of the suburbs, from Portslade in the west to Moulsecoomb and Whitehawk in the east and Patcham in the north.
Among the roads removed from the scheme by opposition councillors were Portland Road in Hove which remains at 30mph pending further monitoring.
The move followed representations by bus and taxi companies. Councillor Garry Peltzer Dunn pointed out that a majority of residents opposed the proposed change.
Stanford Avenue and Preston Drove will also stay at 30mph.
A decision on part of Hollingbury bounded by and including Ditchling Road, Surrenden Road, Braybon Avenue and Carden Avenue was deferred indefinitely.
As a result they all retain a 30mph speed limit for the foreseeable future.
The council carried out a survey of 58,000 homes in nine areas of the city earlier this year.
Nearly 15,000 people responded to the consultation with 51 per cent supporting the proposed reduction of the speed limit to 20mph.
A deputation to the meeting urged councillors to include streets around Hove Park and Hove Recreation Ground but was rejected.
With so much pro-20 zone propaganda in the air and with so many pressure groups being pro-20 too, it is pleasing to see the relatively low number in favour of 20 zones. I can only wonder what would have happened if so much energy had been available to the anti-20 zone brigade.
With so much pro-20 zone propaganda in the air and with so many pressure groups being pro-20 too, it is pleasing to see the relatively low number in favour of 20 zones. I can only wonder what would have happened if so much energy had been available to the anti-20 zone brigade.