"Twenty is Plenty" for Bath

3.57.15pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Jul 2008

This morning Liberal Democrats in Bath launched their campaign for 20mph speed limits in the most residential areas of the city. Residents in Hawthorn Grove, who have already submitted a petition to the Council, were joined by local Councillors Cherry Beath and Roger Symonds as they pressed for a speed reduction along their road.

Visit the website at http://ourcampaign.org.uk/twentyisplenty

Cllrs Roger Symonds and Cherry Beath joined local residents including Nigel Dann to call for a 20mph limit in Hawthorn Grove

Cllr Roger Symonds commented, "Residents in Hawthorn Grove are particularly worried about 'rat run' drivers during rush hour and dangerous driving later in the evening, both of which put pedestrians - particularly children on the way to the local schools - at risk.

There have also been petitions from residents of Sedgemoor Road and Southstoke Road, where every single household signed the petition."

Local residents Nigel Dann said, "At 30mph, 48% of pedestrians in a collision with a vehicle will be killed. At 20mph that figure reduces to just 5%. We should be following the example of countries such as Holland and Sweden, who spend so much more on the safety of their pedestrians and cyclists - pedestrians there are under half as likely to be killed, or seriously injured, than someone in the UK.

Why do we have an urban speed limit which stats show is almost 10 times more likely to result in death than the alternative we are suggesting?"

Cllr Cherry Beath said, "Funding for the traffic calming had previously been agreed for all these roads well over a year ago at the Local South Area Committee. Whilst that Committee was scrapped by the present Administration, my understanding was that the promises made to residents through the Committee decisions would be upheld. Residents from other roads in Combe Down have submitted petitions to the Council calling for speed restrictions on their road. There is strong public feeling on this issue, and there is a continuing need."

Commenting, Don Foster MP said, "Talking to residents across the city, one of the issues raised most regularly is the issue of speeding traffic in their road. Residents don't feel safe, and are worried about letting their children out. This shouldn't be the case in the residential areas of our city.

"20mph limits would result in fewer pedestrian injuries. It will also stop the use of residential roads as 'rat runs' - short cuts for those in rush hour. 'Rat run' roads see a huge increase in volume of traffic in peak times, and often drivers travel at speeds well above the limit. Action needs to be taken to return our communities to safe and peaceful places to live."

You can leave your comments on the idea, and sign the petition for 20mph limits in our most residential areas by visiting the website at http://ourcampaign.org.uk/twentyisplenty