Agenda item

To consider the approach to the implementation of 20mph speed limits in Leeds

Members considered a report on the implementation of 20mph speed limits in Leeds.

In attendance to address the Board and answer Members’ queries were:

-  Councillor Richard Lewis, Executive Member for Transport and Economy

-  Andrew Hall, Head of Transportation

-  Kasia Speakman, Transport Planner

-  Chief Inspector Phil Wiggins, Safer Leeds

-  Mark Lansdown, 20s Plenty for Us

The following issues were raised in discussion:

·  The Board heard about the Council’s current approach to the phased implementation of 20mph zones, with a prioritised programme based on injury statistics and school travel areas. The present programme would eventually cover most residential streets.

·  The key difference from the approach put forward by the 20s Plenty for Us campaign group was described in terms of process. The council had adopted an approach which involved consultation in each local area and the use of traffic calming measures where appropriate, whereas the campaign group advocated a blanket introduction of 20mph speed limits using signs and road markings rather than physical measures.

·  Although cheaper to implement initially, the blanket approach could require more significant ongoing revenue support for education and enforcement, or the retro-fitting of physical measures in some cases. There was less evidence about the speed reductions achieved in areas with signs and lines only.

·  It was noted that local councillors had contributed funding to implement schemes in some areas.

·  Some concern was expressed about areas where the speed limit reduced from 40mph to 20mph in a short length of road.

·  The potential health benefits from increased walking and cycling associated with lower traffic speeds was highlighted.

·  The Board noted that road safety was a priority in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Plan.

·  The Board was made aware of Safer Leeds’ commitment to working in partnership at all stages from scheme design through to targeted enforcement in support of 20mph zones.

·  It was suggested that there was potential to explore additional partnership funding opportunities in order to speed up implementation of 20mph zones, particularly with the full range of Health partners and the Police, but also giving consideration to other potential beneficiaries from a reduction in accidents, for example the DWP in terms of benefit payments or business interests. Examples were provided of partnership funding elsewhere.

·  The 20s Plenty for Us campaign emphasised the desire for zones to be large enough to reflect communities’ travel patterns, particularly the journey to school. It was also argued that increasing the area covered helped to create a 20mph culture.

·  It was acknowledged that a blanket 20mph limit could be introduced on all residential streets, but this might be unpopular with communities, and was not considered to be enough on its own to reduce speeds significantly.

·  It was also suggested that the amount of rural roads in the Leeds district meant that a blanket 20mph approach was not necessarily appropriate.

·  Members recommended that as an immediate step, a default 20mph speed limit be adopted for all new residential developments.

·  It was suggested that there was further scope for the 20s Plenty for Us campaign group to work with the council at a local level around initiatives including school cycling and community speed watch.

·  It was noted that the Road Safety Partnership centrally controlled road cameras used for enforcement, with road policing also being determined at a West Yorkshire level. Neighbourhood Policing Teams could provide a more localised and flexible response but their deployment had to be prioritised against a range of competing demands.

·  The impact of national TV advertising campaigns in the past was highlighted.

·  It was confirmed that the schools programme would take about 4 years to complete at the current funding levels, with a further consolidation phase taking until 2020, at a cost of around £3m.

·  Problems with parking outside of schools was also highlighted as an issue of concern.

At the end of the discussion, the Board requested a report back in March 2015, providing further information on casualty figures for Leeds and the associated costs. Members also asked that potential additional funding opportunities be explored with all partners, particularly the Police and health partners, and that progress on this aspect also be reported back in March 2015.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the Director of City Development be recommended to take the necessary steps to implement a 20mph default speed limit for all new residential developments in Leeds.

b)  That the Board receive a progress report in March 2015, providing the information on casualties requested above and reporting progress on partnership funding opportunities.

(Councillor Hussain joined the meeting at 1.40pm and Councillor Castle left the meeting at 2.25pm during the discussion of this item.)