Agenda item

This report will consider the representations received from respondents to the consultation on the delivery of the 20mph speed limit across the city, which is a Council Priority.  A 20mph Speed Limit Order was recently advertised for residential roads across the West of York urban area

RESOLVED:         That the Cabinet Member approved Option 3 and over ruled the objections wishing to see no 20mph scheme implemented but upheld the representation suggesting Trenchard Road and Portal Road are removed from the scheme.

Reason:                    To progress the citywide 20mph scheme in line with the council plan, but removing two roads where there is little negative consequence arising from their exclusion.

Consideration was given to a report which outlined the consultation response to a 20mph Speed Limit Order was which was recently advertised for residential roads across the West of York urban area. The report also detailed the receipt of an e petition entitled “Stop the 20mph Proposals” and this was also given due consideration.

It was reported that 6 people had registered to speak on the item:

Nick Love advised that he was opposed to the 20mph proposals. He queried whether the scheme should be a priority for York, the cost involved and if the cost was justifiable. He stated that York is a low risk area for road accidents and in the top 8% for low casualty rates and that the proposals were not based on any statistical evidence.

Mr Ellerton had registered to speak as a local resident. He felt that the public consultation had not been long enough and that the money would be better spent elsewhere. He stated that the leaflets distributed had been too complicated.

Mr Vaus had registered to speak as a local resident. He advised that some roads were not suited to having 20mph limits, although he agreed that most residential areas should be 20mph. He suggested that the money would be better spent improving dangerous junctions such as the junction with Green Dykes Lane and Melrosegate.

Councillor Semlyen spoke in support of the proposals as she had been a 20mph campaigner for a number of years. She advised that 20mph limits protect vulnerable people as well as having health benefits and a positive impact on traffic flow. She urged the Cabinet Member to approve the scheme.

Councillor Reid had registered to speak as some of the area covered by the 20mph speed limit proposals were in her Ward. She raised concern about the lack of support from residents for the scheme and the lack of an evidence base for introducing the scheme.

Councillor Healey spoke to advise that small cul-de-sacs were not suitable for such a scheme. He referred to the graphs on page 109 of the agenda which showed casualty data for other cities adopting 20mph limits and questioned if enough research into capital cost against benefits had been carried out.

Officers outlined the report and advised that in light of representations received, Trenchard Road and Portal Road would be removed from the scheme, if approved.

The Cabinet Member commented that the 20mph agenda was not specifically driven by road safety but  had always been about improving the environment and about making York a pleasant place to live and to promote cycling and walking. This proposal would also bring a degree of benefit in safety. He advised that the Speed Limit Order was advertised and circulated to approximately 13,000 affected households as per the standard York approach with such a legal order and only 0.07 per cent of people had objected. It is not proposed to introduce the 20mph limit to major roads. The scheme is also reflective of the Governments approach and 20mph limits have cross party backing at a national level, if not local. In light of the small amount of objections to the proposals,  he agreed Option 3.

RESOLVED:            That the Cabinet Member approved Option 3 and over ruled the objections wishing to see no 20mph scheme implemented but upheld the representation suggesting Trenchard Road and Portal Road are removed from the scheme.

REASON:                 To progress the citywide 20mph scheme in line with the council plan, but removing two short cul-de-sacs where there is little negative consequence arising from their exclusion.