Press Releases

NHS Part Funds 20mph Limits for Liverpool in Landmark Public Health Collaboration

This ground-breaking deal confirms joint Local Authority and public health responsibility for roads. 20mph speed limits cost effectively prevent injury and promote healthy lifestyles.

Liverpool City Council and PCT are working together for the good of their communities. The PCT is paying 40% - £665k of £1.665m – of funding jointly allocated to road danger reduction through 20 mph limits.

Recognising the benefits of preventing road deaths, injuries and transport-related illness, £400,000 (28.5%) has been allocated from PCT budgets toward the £1.4m anticipated cost of the council programme to implement 20mph signed-only limits over the next four years.

In addition, the PCT are paying £265,000 for a programme of perception surveys and community engagement work on slower speeds. Extensive public health promotion on 20 mph limits is new territory where Liverpool’s public authorities are leading the way.

31 per cent of residential roads in Liverpool currently have 20mph speed limits. Plans extend this by a further 39 per cent – 587km of roads to a total of 70% of all roads.

“We know that cutting speed can save lives, as well as making our neighbourhoods much more pleasant places to live. And by making roads safer we create more opportunities for people to use greener forms of transport – such as cycling and walking – which are also better for their health.”

“We believe that implementing wide area 20mph limits in this manner will become an exemplar of how organisations can pool their funding and expertise to benefit their communities with better health, road danger reduction and increased quality of life. Its an example of the joined up thinking and action that that can not only make our cities and villages better places to be, but also reap financial dividends through reduced health care costs.

Liverpool are giving people a real choice in how they travel by removing the fear of fast traffic from community streets. For our part we have been pleased at how responsive both organisations have been to the discussions that 20’s Plenty for Us and our local campaigners have had with them.”

The Transport Minister is rumoured to be trading off residential 20mph limits with 80mph for motorways. The success of UK 20mph campaigns has led to debate

20mph is widely recognised as the appropriate residential limit. Politicians in Europe, Westminster, the Department for Transport, Town Halls, NHS guidance and many others confirm that 20’s Plenty where people live, shop, work and play. UK Authorities for nearly 7 million people have committed to it. Wide area, signed, mandatory default 20 mph limits make lives safer and better. In Portsmouth, this policy brought a 22% reduction in casualties. European data shows 25% fewer casualties, saving suffering and society money. A 20mph limit does not involve speed humps and certain roads can be exempted. Numerous surveys show popular public acceptance of 20mph as the correct limit for residential roads.

Top level acknowledgement that town and village speeds must, and will, slow to 20mph is forcing a wider debate on speed. 20’s Plenty for Us does not campaign on motorway limits. Motorways are radically different environments to communities as they are 3 lane roads with vehicular traffic only. Whereas, streets where people live have a mix of heavy traffic with walkers and cyclists, plus junctions, crossings, children, elderly and disabled using them in a less predictable way. We must look sensibly at the effects of any change. “Laws of physics” issues common to the 20mph and 80mph debate include:-

”We are delighted that the benefits of lower speed limits in residential roads are now so widely recognised and that the Government endorses them. Lower speeds where people live, work, shop and play enrich our communities. It is the success of the 20mph debate in town halls, parishes and communities around Britain that led to the 20mph limit call. Whilst the link with higher motorway speed limits appears to be more political than practical, a similar debate on this issue can only be beneficial.”

This week the European Parliament adopted a key slower road speeds resolution. It “strongly recommends the responsible authorities introduce speed limits of 30 km/h in all residential areas and on single-lane roads in urban areas which have no separate cycle lanes.”

The EU Parliament recommendation to introduce speeds of 30km/h (18.6 mph) is a critical endorsement of Britain’s 20’s Plenty for Us campaign. This top level call for action is in forceful terms - a strong recommendation as evidence for 20mph as a life-saving and better quality of life measure is so compelling.

Earlier this year Rod King, Founder of 20’s Plenty for Us, visited Brussels to lobby the EU Transport Committee on the invitation of Keith Taylor MEP for the South of England. That a Committee, and subsequently Full Council, of MEPs conclude that drivers need to be made to take their foot off the gas is a massive boost to the campaign. This enshrines road danger reduction as a prevention strategy for better public health for all Europeans. It confirmed 30km/h (in Britain 20 mph) as the correct default speed limit where people live across EU member states.

”This is the EU parliament endorsing what many UK local authorities are already doing. We now have local communities, local government, national government and the EU all saying that 20’s Plenty where people live. This is a tribute to communities and campaigners across the UK who are changing the way we share our roads to be fairer for all. Now we need to end the postcode lottery of danger and amenity outside our houses. We urge all local authorities to adopt this life enhancing initiative.”

This resolution is part of a wide range of measures to halve Europe’s 31,000 annual road fatalities by 2020. Research has shown that casualties fall by 25% when 50 km/h roads become 30 km/h. In Portsmouth casualties fell 22% when roads went from 30 to 20mph.

On the 27th Sept the full EU parliament adopted the EU Transport Committee report on Road Safety for the next decade. One of the primary "calls" is for 30km/h speed limits for all residential and urban roads. A full list of recommended measures may be viewed at:-

20’s Plenty for Us welcomes the call by the EU Committee on Transport and Tourism for 30km/h (20mph) speed limits in all residential areas.

20mph speed limits for residential areas has come out as the key recommendation of the EU Transport and Tourism Committee on improving road safety in Europe.

The Committee comprises MEPs from a wide range of political parties and countries and is seeking to halve EU road deaths and injuries by 2020. The Committee sets out specific measures to reach this goal and in its press release[1] identifies 20mph limits as key for protecting children :-

This comes just days after the UK’s Transport Minister, Norman Baker, announced changes in signage requirements which make it far easier and cheaper for local authorities to implement wide area 20mph limits for cities, towns and villages.

[1] How to halve road accident deaths and injuries by 2020. EU Committee on Transport and Tourism http://tinyurl.com/EUTRAN20mph

[3] Total 20 – Setting 20mph as the default speed limit for residential roads without speed bumps.

20’s Plenty for Us welcomes the announcement by DfT that it has responded to increasing calls from communities for 20mph speed limits by relaxing the requirements for 20mph speed limit signage

In a move to remove red-tape and allow local authorities more power to implement 20mph schemes without unnecessary cost and constraints, the DfT has announced new relaxations to allow far more flexible town-wide 20mph schemes.

The changes allow local authorities far more choice in how they indicate 20mph speed limits. These can now be with repeater signs, carriageway roundels or mini-roundabouts. 20mph zones and limits can now be more easily mixed to blend earlier isolated 20mph zones with wide area 20mph limits.

“I want to end the era of top-down government by providing a radical devolution of power to local authorities and communities. These changes will reduce costs for councils wanting to use 20 mph schemes, allowing them to act faster in response to the needs of their local residents while still ensuring that drivers know what speed they should drive at."

“For some time we have been lobbying central government to ease the technical requirements for signage which was very much designed around earlier, isolated 20mph zones. This is an excellent example of how community values and aspirations across the country are nudging government to rethink its rules to enable that change to take place. Our campaign for 20mph speed limits as the default on residential roads has the support of the majority of the electorate[1].

We now have over 5m people living in towns, villages and counties with a Total 20 policy. The number of new communities wishing to implement this quality-of-life enabling policy is rapidly expanding and we expect this number to double by 2012.[2]

20 really is Plenty where people live and these new changes reflect the success and popularity of this move towards a safer and more pleasant street environment for us all”

[1] British Social Attitudes Survey 2010 reports 71% of people in favour of 20mph speed limits for residential streets.

[2] Total 20 – Setting 20mph as the default speed limit for residential roads without speed bumps.

71% of adults want residential speed limits of 20 mph in the 2010 British Social Attitudes

Survey[1]. Slower residential speed limits are a popular way to improve safety and quality of life.

The majority (71%) of respondents were in favour or strongly in favour of speed limits of twenty miles per hour in residential streets. Attitudes to “having speed limits of 20mph in residential streets were:-

Only 15% were against 20mph speed limits. The clear message is that 20 mph limits for residential roads is a transport policy that is wanted by British people. Fortunately the cost is minimal at just £333 per street[2] and savings in casualty costs recoup this many times over.

20’s Plenty for Us campaign for default 20 mph limits where people live, without humps. It relies on community agreement to signed 20 mph limits backed up by light touch policing. Some roads will have higher speeds where merited. Limits are much more popular than zones with humps. Only 48% of respondents in the British Social Attitudes Survey were in favour or strongly in favour of having speed bumps to slow down traffic in residential streets; however 38% were against or strongly against the proposal.

5.4 million people in the UK live in authorities, like Portsmouth, Oxford, Warrington, Lancashire and Islington where Traffic authorities are creating more pleasant, quieter and safer residential streets. These places are using lower speeds to act as a foundation for active travel and increasing civic amenity.

Overall there were 22% fewer casualties in Portsmouth after 1,200 roads went 20 mph: drivers had 23% fewer and passengers 31% fewer after 2 years of wide area 20 mph limits. Elderly drivers had 50% fewer injuries and 40% fewer injured passengers[3].

“ This survey echoes what our local campaigns around the country are also finding whenever they speak to residents. Lower speeds in streets where people live is vital to a regeneration of communities and the creation of a better street environment. And it also echoes a growing call from Health and Transport Professionals that 20’s Plenty Where People Live.”

[2] Portsmouth’s cost per street based on 1200 roads, was £333 per street.

[3] DfT. Interim Evaluation of the Implementation of 20 mph Speed Limits in Portsmouth Final Report - Sep 2010

New research entitled “Health on the Move 2” evidences why 20 mph limits in residential areas are key to improving the health impacts of local transport. [1]

The book evidences the interactions between transport, health and inequalities. It firmly recommends making 20 mph or lower speed limits the norm for residential streets.

“The difference between travelling two miles at 20mph and travelling it at 30mph is only two minutes. Those who oppose this measure are saying that two minutes off journey times is more important than children’s lives.”

Large parts of the street system should be closed to through motor traffic (with a 20mph speed limits on vehicles using them for access) and developed primarily for walking, cycling and community interaction, according to a group of health and transport professionals in a book welcomed by the former Chief Medical Officer of England, Sir Liam Donaldson.

Traffic in streets reduces social interaction leading to people having fewer friends and less commitment to their community. As social support networks have been shown to increase life expectancy the group contends that creating “living streets” will increase community cohesion and improve health, as well as creating new cycle routes.

Health is impacted by transport in positive and negative ways. Moving around is a way to access to goods, services, jobs and amenities. Walking and cycling offer excellent ways to build activity into everyday life. But transport also causes injuries, stress, disruption of communities, noise and air pollution, and emissions. Transport’s effects exacerbate inequalities, with gains from motorised transport accruing particularly to the better off, while the adverse effects fall disproportionately on the disadvantaged.

“ This is just one of many recent reports on the health evidence in favour of 20 mph limits. Slower speeds not only save lives, but also reduce injury and fear. They give us cleaner, quieter and better neighbourhoods. 20 mph limits also help to build communities so that people of all ages, abilities and income levels have space to interact, to exercise, play and be part of a shared society complete with local friendships.”

1. Health on the Move 2 (2011), Transport and Health Study Group www.transportandhealth.org.uk/?page_id=32.

Research has proven that children cannot accurately judge the speed of vehicles above 20 mph. Scientists aimed to discover why children are overrepresented as road casualties. Research found that vehicles traveling faster loom less than slower vehicles. This creates a dangerous illusion in which faster vehicles may be perceived as not approaching[1]. 20 mph speed limits can help protect children from making risky road crossing choices.

Vision scientists at Royal Holloway, University of London measured children’s detection of cars approaching in a road crossing scenario. At speeds faster than 20 mph, primary age children (6-11 years) may not be able to tell that a car is coming. This strongly supports the implementation and enforcement of 20 mph speeds near child pedestrians. Public Health body NICE guidance also wants 20 mph limits near children[2].

Published by international journal Psychological Science on March 9^th the paper explains “the speed illusion”. This can mean that pedestrians, and/or drivers at junctions, may under-estimate the velocity of faster vehicles and, in some cases, will fail to see them at all.

Researchers measured the vision of 111 children in primary schools and calculated approach speeds that they could reliably detect. Adult pedestrians can make good judgments for vehicles going up to 50 mph, but primary school age children become unreliable once the approach rises above 20 mph. The study says:-

“Children’s perceptual limitations place them at greater risk of stepping in front of cars traveling at higher speeds. Driving over 20 mph in a residential or school area not only increases the potential severity of any impact, but also increases the risk that a child will injudiciously cross in front.”

Professor Wann stresses that the simplest solution lies in traffic regulation :-

“There’s strong evidence that children may make risky crossing judgements when vehicles are travelling at 30 or 40 mph. The vehicles that they are more likely to step in front of are the faster vehicles that are more likely to result in a fatality. Travelling 1 mile though a residential area at 20 mph vs. 30 mph will only add 60 seconds to journey time. We encourage drivers to take a minute and save a child’s life”.

Anna Semlyen, Campaign Manager for 20’s Plenty for Us said :-
“It’s simplistic to blame children saying they “run out”, without checking. But this study suggests it is fast motor vehicles that create the errors, as it is then impossible for kids to make correct judgments. It’s up to adults to protect children through 20 mph limits and for drivers to obey the signs.“

[1] John P. Wann, Damian R. Poulter, and Catherine Purcell. Reduced Sensitivity to Visual Looming Inflates the Risk Posed by Speeding Vehicles When Children Try to Cross the Road. Psychological Science OnlineFirst, published on March 9, 2011 as doi:10.1177/0956797611400917 - online at http://pss.sagepub.com/content/early/2011/03/04/0956797611400917

NICE, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s report “Preventing unintentional injuries among under-15s” recommends 20 mph limits where children and young people are likely to be.

NICE have found strong evidence for more promotion and enforcement of road speed reduction. In its review, the top NHS public health research body informs Local Highway Authorities and their safety partnerships to reduce the burden of road death and injury to children by implementing 20 mph road speeds.

NICE makes research based recommendations on the promotion of good health and the prevention of ill health.

Recommendations to prevent unintentional injury to under 15 year olds include using signage, road design and engineering to reduce vehicle speeds on roads where children and young people are likely to be, such as those passing playgrounds or schools. The report instructs health officials, local councils and their safety partnerships to use national and local education and media campaigns to promote the benefits of safety initiatives – including 20 mph speed limits and zones – in areas frequented by children and young people. It specifically calls for 20 mph speed limits for residential roads or where pedestrian and cyclist movements are high, and backs up Department for Transport guidelines for wide-area 20 mph limits. In addition, health and council professionals are urged to evaluate compliance with speed limits and where compliance is poor, to work with the police to improve it through education and, where necessary, enforcement activities.

20’s Plenty for Us Campaign Director Rod King said :-

“We welcome this report which adds to the number of government and non-government bodies calling for a 20 mph speed limit on residential and urban roads which are shared with pedestrians and cyclists. The report is influential for supporting Total 20 speed limits across complete towns.

Directors of Public Health are also coming out with strong recommendations for Total 20 initiatives and this is indicative of an increasing recognition that child and adult road deaths are predictable and preventable through the simple and cost effective measure of simply travelling slower where people live, play, work and shop.

With the NHS bearing the main costs of unnecessary road death and injury this is a necessary call to action to clean up the way we share our streets. 20 mph or lower speed limits are widespread throughout many parts of Europe and are becoming increasingly seen as a moral and financial imperative if our urban and residential roads are to be safe and pleasant places to walk, cycle or drive.”

The report is available for download at http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=byID&o=13273

The North West Regional Directors of Public Health have just published research entitled "Road traffic collisions and casualties in the North West". 140 killed or seriously injured child casualties could have been prevented per year between 2004 - 2008 if residential 20 mph speed zones had been introduced across the region. It strongly recommends that wide-area 20 mph limits for residential streets (without traffic calming) be included in all Highway Authority’s Local Transport Plans before 30 March.

20 mph speeds reduce preventable deaths and health inequality said Professor Danny Dorling of the University of Sheffield at the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety’s (PACTS) Westminster Lecture.

Dorling, a Human Geographer specialising in how we die, evidenced road death as the greatest avoidable public health epidemic. Once it was open sewers, then tobacco, now roads must be recognised as the nation’s major killer and be tackled. Introducing 20 mph is the most cost effective way to improve quality of life in Britain today.

Although total road deaths are falling, deaths from other causes fell faster, making the road toll an increasing proportion. Traffic forms half of external causes of children’s and young people’s deaths, particularly boys.

Key is how large a contribution road death makes. Yet the threat isn’t diminishing, nor are enough Government resources directed to it. Roads imprison affluent children at home, denying them the freedom to move and are the main sites of killing of poorer children. Road deaths should be in the Department of Health’s remit. Dorling was “shocked” that the Dept of Transport’s Road Safety budget has been cut from a paltry £37m to £17.2m.

The non party political cost of traffic danger needs addressing. A proven intervention exists – lower speeds. 20 mph zones cut deaths by 41.9%, as evidenced in the British Medical Journal by Grundy et al¹.

“Elsewhere in medicine, you’d get honours and funding for such an effective treatment for an epidemic. Yet there’s a collective blind spot on the enormous benefits of 20 mph limits - perhaps because Directors of Public Health aren’t trained in road safety.”

Dorling thinks educating drivers on lower speeds, plus a campaign to get people to ask Local Councils for 20 mph limits is badly needed. Challenging the irresponsible behaviour of a few who speed would both reduce deaths and increase social cohesion by tackling the inequality gap in life expectancy between Kensington and Glasgow of 12.4 years.

“Government can lead on 20 mph. In a time of less money it makes even more sense.”

Educated people gave up smoking by themselves before a public ban. Much like proper disposal of sewage, for 20 mph speed limits the authorities must lead on getting the public health benefits. Dorling said

“If British people care about children and have a soul, they’d want 20 mph residential speed limits.”

Slide 30, add the caption – London’s 20 mph limits - how long till the patchwork joins up?

1. Grundy C et al. Effect of 20 mph traffic speed zones on road injuries in London, 1986-2006: controlled interrupted time series analysis- BMJ 2009; 339:b4469

Research on vision has found that primary age children cannot accurately see, or judge the speed of, vehicles travelling above 20 mph. This is strong evidence that 20 mph limits where people live are needed to protect children from road danger caused by age-related inability to correctly register faster traffic.

A new study by vision scientists at Royal Holloway, University of London has measured children’s ability to detect approaching cars in a road crossing scenario. At vehicle speeds faster than 20 mph, primary school age children (6-11 years) may not be able to tell that a car is approaching. This strongly supports arguments for implementing and enforcing 20 mph speed restrictions in areas with child pedestrians such as residential streets.

The study, which is in press for the international journal Psychological Science, outlines how a speed illusion can mean that all pedestrians, and/or drivers at junctions, can under-estimate the speed of faster vehicles and may, in some cases, fail to see them at all. Researchers measured the perceptual acuity of over 100 children in primary schools and calculated the approach speed that they could reliably detect. Adult pedestrians can make accurate judgments for vehicles travelling up to 50 mph, but primary school age children become unreliable once the approach speed goes above 20 mph.

“This is not a matter of children not paying attention, but a problem related to low-level visual detection mechanisms, so even when children are paying very close attention they may fail to detect a fast approaching vehicle.”

“These findings provide strong evidence that children may make risky crossing judgements when vehicles are travelling at 30 or 40 mph. In addition, the vehicles that they are more likely to step in front of are the faster vehicles that are more likely to result in a fatality. Travelling 1 mile though a residential area at 20 mph vs. 30 mph will only add 60 seconds to journey time. We encourage drivers to take a minute and save a child’s life”.

“We cannot address child road safety by simply teaching them to pay more attention. Child pedestrians can’t judge approach speeds as well as adults. It’s simplistic to blame children and suggest they “run out”, without checking. But this study suggests it’s drivers going too fast that create errors, as it is then impossible for children to make correct judgments. It’s up to adult society to protect families through 20 mph limits where people live and for drivers to obey the signs. “

This study was part of a larger project sponsored by the ESRC, one of the UK research councils, in order to understand the perceptual factors that can lead to pedestrian accidents. The research group has recently published brain imaging research in the Proceedings of the Royal Society to that show some of the key components for detecting collision events lie at the brain-stem level, which is a low-level early detection system.

The PACTS Perceptions and Realities report (Sept 2010) is a closer look at the risks which children and young people face in Britain today and what can be done to reduce them.

It states that perceptions about risks to children have led to policies focused primarily on preventing violent assault. In reality children are far more likely to come to harm on the road. 28 children and young people are killed or seriously injured on British roads every day.

Failing to protect the well-being of children and young people is both costly and morally unacceptable. The biggest non-natural killers of children and young people are road traffic crashes. The value of prevention of road death and serious injury of people aged 0-25 alone was estimated to be over £3 billion in 2008.

Spending decisions should be based on the most effective resource allocation which will contribute to life saving and injury prevention objectives. PACTS recommend 20mph limits on residential roads citing Portsmouth data where limits were put in without physical calming. The 20mph speed limit, designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists became citywide by the end of March 2008. The first year evaluation looks positive and estimates the following reductions in children killed or seriously injured:-

Area wide 20mph residential limits in Portsmouth were extremely cost effective and 50 times cheaper per mile than conventional physical traffic calming.

The campaign for more appropriate speed limits on residential roads took an international turn this week with the publication of a video made by Streetfilms of New York on Warrington’s 20’s Plenty for Us voluntary organisation.

The 5 minute video is available at http://www.streetfilms.org/no-need-for-speed-20s-plenty-for-us/ and features 20’s Plenty for Us campaigner Rod King explaining the benefits of 20mph for residential roads and how it is being successfully used on a town-wide basis in the UK. The video also features Warrington streets and local residents in favour of their 20mph limits.

Streetfilms features initiatives from around the world for making towns and cities better places to live and for people to walk and cycle. The feature on 20’s Plenty for Us also comes just a few days after the New York Mayor announced the use of district wide 20mph limits for residential roads in the city.

“We were really pleased when Streetfilms contacted us about them creating a video article on our campaign. We are getting used to people contacting us to recognise our success, but to get this contact from the United States was particularly pleasing. It also provided an opportunity to present Warrington as a progressive authority that is following in the footsteps of such people friendly cities as Copenhagen and our twin-town, Hilden, in making their town a great place to live.”

20’s Plenty for Us now has more than 60 local campaigns around the country and is influential in the increasing number of local authorities that are adopting town-wide 20mph limits for residential roads. These include Lancashire which has recently proposed that all residential streets in the county should have a default speed limit of 20mph.

In 2009, 989 people were killed or injured on Warrington roads. In a recent survey of child road casualties across the country Warrington was in the quarter worst local authorities for child road risk with 1 in 374 Warrington children predicted to be killed or injured each year[1].

Warrington Councillors will shortly be considering whether to implement 20mph speed limits on its residential roads as a means of both making the streets not only safer but also more pleasant for everyone.

Anna Semlyen joins 20’s Plenty for Us as new Campaign Manager supporting 20mph speed limits

After having recently received wide recognition for its success in its campaigns, 20’s Plenty for Us are delighted to announce that Anna Semlyen has joined the organisation as Campaign Manager.

Anna is well known for her work as a transport professional, and especially for her book “Cutting your car use”. She has led the 20’s Plenty for York campaign and since 1998 has been an activist for 20mph urban speed limits.

Anna’s own street has a 20mph limit thanks to her commitment and perseverance in gaining support by asking the right questions. She knows that often campaigning is not an “easy win” but that by presenting arguments coherently and building community support for change then we can make our communities better places to live.

“Perseverance, knowledge of transport activism and a sense of proportion. Plus insight into what local campaigners need to help them be effective. As a cyclist I was run over by a car going too fast when I was 21. This was a defining life moment as I joined road safety campaigns then. I am excited about the challenge of working for 20s Plenty for Us.”

As well as her Cutting Your Car Use book which has sold over 110,000 copies, Anna has written many articles on transport, school travel guides and has been an active volunteer in the York Cycle Campaign, the World Carfree Network and recently as events organiser for York in Transition.

A graduate of Oxford University and the University of York, and a yoga teacher, Anna’s CV also includes work as a writer (her 6^th book is in press), transport consultant, health economics researcher, hospital administrator, outdoor play developer and mediator. In her spare time she dances salsa, writes poetry and juggles fire.

“I am delighted that Anna has joined us. When I first met Anna I was impressed by her commitment to making the roads better places for people to use. Like ourselves she sees streets as “public places” to be shared by all rather than being the preserve of motor vehicles.

Local authorities are increasingly seeing 20mph residential speed limits as providing a welcome opportunity to increase transport options and reduce casualties at a cost which is far less than the gains it produces. Anna joining our team will strengthen our ability to respond to that interest and maximise our progress towards a more equitable sharing of our roads and civic amenity”

20’s Plenty For us welcomes government moves towards making 20mph the default speed limit for urban and residential roads.

In a recent announcement, Norman Baker, the Transport Minister proposes a 20 mph speed limit on urban roads to reduce deaths and reclaim the streets for pedestrians and cyclists.

“We’ve gone through a period over the last 100 years when those not in motorised vehicles have felt that the ownership of the streets in urban areas has been taken away from them. I want to move to a situation where the ownership is shared between motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.”

The proposals are very much based on the experience in towns such as Portsmouth, Oxford and Newcastle which have all introduced 20mph speed limits on all residential roads throughout their towns without the use of speed bumps. The community based initiatives reflect the growing realisation that the 30 mph limit may have been appropriate in 1934, when it was first introduced with less than 2m motor vehicles on the roads, but is “unfit for purpose” in today’s streets with over 30m vehicles and our aspirations for more active travel for ourselves and our children.

“It is good to see the government recognising that the spaces between our houses, which we call streets, should be available for every citizen to walk or cycle on without the fear of high speed motor vehicles. Portsmouth has shown that communities can change their behaviour and sensibly embark on a 20’s Plenty Where People Live initiative that delivers real benefits to every road user. More and more towns, cities and villages are following this trend to put citizenship back into the way we drive and share our roads.

Perhaps the move towards a “bigger society” is already happening with communities deciding that making a lifestyle decision to simply slow down in the vicinity of people is a sensible and life enhancing move. Whilst physical traffic calming has its place, far better is the action of communities to share their streets more equitably through restraint.”

In Portsmouth results over the first year showed that speeds on faster roads were reduced by 7 mph with an initiative that is 50 times cheaper than conventional road humps. The key was the ownership by the community and that most drivers now themselves live on a 20 mph street and therefore also “own” the benefits.

20’s Plenty For Us campaigns for a 20mph speed limits in communities and local authorities for all residential streets.

20’s Plenty for Us calls for clarity from DfT on lower residential speed limits.

The latest 2008 road casualties provide little comfort for government policies to increase pedestrian safety.

Whilst there was an overall reduction of 14% in people killed on our roads in 2008, this was not reflected in the same reduction for pedestrians.

In 2007 pedestrians accounted for 21.9% of all road deaths, whereas in 2008 this increased to 22.5%. This can be compared to an average of 14.4% across Europe and just 9.4% in the Netherlands.

And the reduction in deaths in built up areas was also lower than the national trend at just 9%. We have an emerging picture that our road safety measures are increasingly being skewed away from helping pedestrians and built up areas.

With road speeds in most towns and villages 60% higher than other EU countries (18.5 mph or 30 kph) we really do need to increase the implementation of authority wide 20 mph speed limits for residential roads.

Whilst several towns have already implemented lower speeds on all their residential roads, it needs the government to be far more pro-active in providing guidance to local authorities for such initiatives.

At the “Portsmouth – Britain’s 1^st 20 mph City” conference on Tuesday, 29^th Sep, delegates will hear how Portsmouth brought 20 mph limits to 1200 streets at minimum cost. A full audit of the results will be presented. Oxford will also explain how it is setting 20 mph for all its residential streets.

20’s Plenty for Us is calling on the Department for Transport to clarify its guidance on 20 mph speed limits and zones which is muddled and leaves local authorities with little clarity as to how to implement 20 mph streets.

“Whilst progressive local authorities such as Portsmouth and Oxford have embraced 20 mph residential speed limits to create a new foundation for their walking and cycling strategies, the government’s DfT guidelines are still “woolly” and based on isolated schemes. The guidelines lack any real grasp of the opportunity for setting 20 mph as the default speed limit for residential roads. In such implementations most drivers live on 20 mph streets and this increases the benefits to their families and increases compliance.

The 2008 road casualty figures show that these are even more skewed towards pedestrians and built-up roads. The government needs to give clear advice to all local authorities in support of the city- wide 20 mph limit schemes put in by Portsmouth and Oxford that can help move us towards the levels of safety enjoyed by our European neighbours.”

20’s Plenty For Us is delighted that the government will be increasing its commitment towards residential streets and schools having a 20 mph speed limit when Jim Fitzpatrick makes an expected announcement of Tuesday.

20 mph is the default speed limit for residential roads in most Northern European countries where walking and cycling is twice as safe as the UK.[1]

Whilst many local councils (Portsmouth, Leicester, Newcastle, Norwich, Oxford, Warrington and Islington) either have made or are planning authority-wide implementations of 20 mph speed limits for residential roads, this new announcement is expected to support and widen this practice and would make a huge difference in the safety, amenity and public sharing of our streets and roads.

Whilst 75% of the public and 72% of drivers support 20 mph for residential streets[2], local authorities have been unclear of the support from central government for implementing such schemes.

Lower speeds in residential streets makes everyone’s life more pleasant and makes very little difference to driver journey times which, in our crowded roads, are usually dictated by how long you are stopped and not how fast you go.

But 20’s Plenty For Us has already noticed the “knee-jerk” reaction from organisations such as SafeSpeed with their fixation on speed only being a minority “cause” of accidents. The facts are that lower speeds both provide more time and ability to avoid accidents when things go wrong, and reduces the consequences when an accident cannot be avoided. Hence for each 1 mph reduction in speed then a 5% reduction in accidents and injury is the norm.

“Communities continue to demonstrate that they are in favour of 20 mph as the correct speed limit for residential streets. It is great to see that the government is responding to those initiatives and is bringing us more into line with the levels of urban amenity and, walking and cycling safety that exist in Northern Europe. We look forward to the announcement on Tuesday.”

[1] TRL, Swedish National Road Research Institute, Netherlands Institute for Road Safety, SUNflower: A comparative study of the development of road safety in Sweden, UK and the Netherlands, 2002

[2] National Centre for Social Research, British Social Attitudes: 22^nd Report, 2005

York to implement 20 mph without calming in Fishergate as a pilot for city-wide scheme.

The 20’s Plenty For Us local campaign in York celebrates success in Fishergate.

Fishergate residents were recently consulted on 20mph speed limits on 7 streets. A clear majority of 70.5% voted for 20mph speed limit for Grange St, Grange Garth, Rosedale St, Levisham St, Hartoft St, Farndale St and Lastingham Terrace. There was a 49% response rate. 25.9% voted No and 3.6% said they didn't know.

"This is a fantastic turnout and clear mandate for 20mph residential streets. No humps will be put in and everyone will benefit. Our streets will be safer, quieter and more livable. Slower speeds are proven to enhance community and local friendships. Plus, the high turn out and overwhelming result strengthens the argument for 20mph residential streets city wide."

The high turn out rate of almost 50% speaks volumes for this issue, given that some of the streets have a high percentage of buy to let properties. The majority of families will have voted. One of the arguments against was that speeds were already quite low. However, since average speeds were over 23mph. the reduction in speed limits from 30mph down to 20mph or below does make a significant difference to pedestrian and cyclist safety because every 1mph lower reduces the number and severity of injuries and crashes by 3-6%.

A petition submitted by Councillor Ruth Potter went in this winter to ask for 20's Plenty citywide. The Fishergate scheme is a pilot of this. A blanket 20mph citywide has already been agreed or piloted for Portsmouth, Newcastle upon Tyne, Oxford, Leicester, Norwich, Warrington, Bristol, Islington and many other places.

“Communities continue to demonstrate that they are in favour of 20 mph as the correct speed limit for residential streets. It is great to see that throughout the country local authorities are responding to this sensible and practical initiative.”

20’s Plenty For Us welcomes Transport Committee support for increased use of 20 mph limits

The latest Road Safety Report from the House of Commons Transport Committee calls for “Ending the Scandal of Complacency” associated with road casualties.

It notes that whilst UK had a good international record up to the year 2000 this has been tarnished by lack of progress in death on our roads since then. Road accidents are the largest single cause of death for people between the ages of 5 and 35.

· It both recognised the demand from communities for safer streets and the role that 20 mph for urban and residential streets plays in delivering that safety. Para 60.

· It recognises the need to differentiate between casualty reduction and danger reduction. Other countries have gone much further than the UK in adapting their urban areas for safer walking and cycling. Para 87.

· It notes that local traffic authorities have been successful at treating accident black spots, but as there are consequently fewer treatable sites there is the need to move toward improving the safety of our infrastructure in a broader and more systematic manner. Para 57.

· It calls for a new vision for road safety in Britain, and recognises how casualty reduction, danger reduction, sustainable transport, economic efficiency, climate change, social inclusion and physical health should all be integrated. Para 136.

· It points out the initiative of towns like Portsmouth who have recently set all residential streets to a speed limit of 20 mph at minimal cost. Para 58.

“This report reinforces much that has been recognised by road danger reduction campaigners. There is too much complacency in the UK regarding road deaths. We still have the view that they are inevitable, yet other countries are proving far more effective at ensuring that their children live longer, have more independent mobility and quality of life.

At 20 mph our streets become community public spaces where all road users can benefit from equitably interacting and sharing the road. Most people support 20 mph for residential streets and we now need local authorities to respond to that demand and changing culture to provide a safe environment for their children and adults to walk and cycle as well as drive.”

For more information about 20’s Plenty For Us, including information on the “Streets Ahead” conference exploring how we can create safer streets for walking and cycling see www.20splentyforus.org.uk and www.streets-ahead.org

Local Authorities now committed to 20 mph for residential streets with populations:-

20’s Plenty For Us campaigns for a 20mph default speed limits in residential streets without physical calming.

20’s Plenty For Us has ¾ million residents in Portsmouth, Oxford, Norwich and now Leicester who have opted for 20 mph as the default limit for residential streets.

From being the backward nation in Europe regarding the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, Britain is fast adopting the policy of setting 20 mph as the default speed limit where people live.

This follows established practice in so many European towns which are twice as safe to walk or cycle in than in Britain.

The proposals usually allow arterial roads to remain at 30 mph but set most of the roads which children play in, walk to school along and live in to a maximum speed of 20 mph. In truth it adds just seconds to a motor vehicle journey times yet lowers accident rates, pollution, noise and stress where people live.

The 20’s Plenty For Us campaigning organisation was only started a year ago, but now has supporting 20 mph campaigns throughout the country. 20’s Plenty For Us campaigners in London, Oxford, Richmond upon Thames, Northampton, Bath, Birstall, Brighton, Wolverhampton, Bristol, Manchester, York, Belfast, Warrington, Sheffield, Cambridge and Southwell are all liaising with local politicians and their traffic authorities to deliver a better quality of life for residents through lowering speeds in residential roads

“Lower speeds only have a marginal effect on journey times, yet create a quieter street with less pollution and far greater safety for vulnerable road users. At 20 mph our streets become community public spaces where all road users can benefit from equitably interacting and sharing the road. Most people support 20 mph for residential streets and we now need local authorities to respond to that demand and changing culture to provide a safe environment for their children and adults to walk and cycle as well as drive.

Sanity is at last breaking out in Britain regarding the way we use our residential streets. ¾ million people now have sensible speed management policies in their local authority and this is rapidly spreading.”

Local Authorities now committed to 20 mph for residential streets with populations:-

Leicester           292,600
Portsmouth       197,000
Oxford              151,000
Norwich             132,200

20’s Plenty For Us is co-hosting the Streets Ahead Conference on 15^th November in Warrington

The campaign for 20 mph for residential streets is gaining momentum across the country. 20’s Plenty For Us will be bringing pedestrian and cycling campaigners together for a national conference to look at shared campaign objectives.

The conference is being co-hosted with Warrington Cycle Campaign and will hear speakers from a wide range of organisations on Road danger Reduction. Speakers are already arranged for presentations from a number of well respected campaigning groups including :-

Of course 20’s Plenty For Us will also be presenting and we are very pleased to be hearing from John Leech MP who is a member of the House of Commons Transport Select Committee.

The conference will look at the two key issues of 20 mph for residential roads, and Strict Liability which helps to protect vulnerable road users when they are involved in collisions with motor vehicles. The conference will also feature CTC, Living Streets and Cyclenation presenting their campaign plans for 2009 and will look for areas of synergy.

20’s Plenty For Us is delighted to be involved with organising this important conference.

“It is in the area of residential speed limits and road user liability that the UK most differs from its Northern European neighbours. No wonder that in Britain the roads are twice as dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists as in the Netherlands (SUN Report). This conference goes to the heart of those differences and will identify the real progress that is being made on 20 mph speed limits and the best way forward on other matters.

Public opinion is moving away from the idea that the personal motor vehicle should be the only mode of transport available to citizens. This conference reflects on this changing culture and looks how to best meet the aspirations of the public to be able to walk or cycle on our roads without fear.”

20’s Plenty For Us is a growing voluntary organisation that has supporting 20 mph campaigns throughout the country. 20’s Plenty For Us Campaigners in London, Oxford, Richmond upon Thames, Northampton, Birstall, Wolverhampton, Bristol, Manchester, York, Belfast, Warrington, Sheffield, Cambridge and Southwell are all liaising with their traffic authorities to deliver a better quality of life for residents through lowering speeds in residential roads.

22nd June 08 20’s Plenty For Us launches “20’s Plenty by 2010” campaign with day of action on 20^th October.

20’s Plenty For Us launches a major campaign for all towns and cities to set 20 mph as the default speed limit for residential roads by 2010.

With Portsmouth already the first city in the country to implement 20 mph on nearly all its residential roads, this is being followed by Norwich and Oxford who have decided upon similar proposals. At the same time many other local authorities are considering how they can use the recent changes in government guidelines on setting speed limits to allow them to do the same on their residential roads without using physical calming.

By focussing on residential roads for 20 mph across the whole authority and leaving arterial roads to be set at higher speeds where the traffic authority deem it safe, this scheme maximises the benefits for all road users on the streets. With most residents being within 1/3^rd mile of an arterial road then journey times increase by just a few seconds at most.

As it becomes clear that the vast majority of people in the UK want 20 mph limits for residential roads, 20’s Plenty For Us is calling on all communities to press for 20 mph as the default in their local authority for residential streets. It wants to see the majority of councils making this move by 2010.

In order to highlight this, 20’s Plenty For Us is adopting 20^th October (20/10) as a day of action for communities to bring to their council’s attention the benefits to quality of life which come from this move.

We are calling for all Local Authorities to introduce 20’s Plenty by 2010 and the 20^th October each year will become our day for community action.”

20’s Plenty For Us calls for a major re-think of road safety strategy to take into account the needs of vulnerable road users in its evidence to the Transport Committee. The main points were :-

In the UK parents consistently cite the high speeds of vehicles and the volume of traffic as the reasons why they do not allow their children to walk or cycle to school. At the same time public opinion is recognising that we are creating roads designed and operated for motorists first, rather than equitably for all users. It is our vulnerable road users who are “hardest hit” by urban and residential vehicle speeds which are 60% higher than those in Northern Europe. Whilst our pedestrians account for 21% of all road fatalities in the UK, in the Netherlands it is just 9.4%. A road fatality in the UK is more likely to be a pedestrian than in any of our West European neighbours.

For an equitable use of our roads and streets as shared public spaces it is imperative that we create a safe environment that recognises the vulnerability of pedestrians and cyclists.

There is clear evidence that the public is very much in favour of a 20 mph speed limit on residential roads. Portsmouth is the first city to implement such a scheme on an authority wide basis. In doing so it initiated a “community-wide” debate linking road safety to restraint and equitable use of its roads.

If we are to move to a society that is less dependent upon the motor car (and its inevitable use of oil for energy) then it is imperative that we maximise the opportunity for people to walk or cycle instead. In reality this will not happen unless a major shift road safety is made in support of vulnerable road users. 20’s Plenty For Us believe that the following should be key factors in that initiative :-

· Traffic authorities to embrace the use of cycling and walking in day to day operations.

· Traffic Authorities to design-in direct and safe cycle and walking facilities on all new road schemes.

· Driving bans should not be reduced by consideration of offenders use of car for employment

Together with public debate, these reforms will bring the UK into line with best practice in Europe and provide the foundation for a society whereby road safety will be increased for all rather than only those who drive cars. Everyone should have the freedom to choose a method if transport without fear that the road laws or use of roads put them at greater risk because of their vulnerability.

Such a change will considerably enhance the country’s ability to face the transport challenges which are expected in the next decade. Regardless of the predictions for “peak oil” or “global warming” we need a more flexible transport policy that enables modal choice and shift without increased danger to those making that shift.

There is evidence of an increasing awareness by the public to such issues. Strong leadership, an honest recognition of these issues and firm action to change the way we use our roads and streets is now required.

20’s Plenty For Us welcomes the recent commitment from the Road Safety Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick to reducing road deaths and increasing safety through the increased use of 20 mph speed limits[1]. However the charity considers that the pronouncements demonstrate muddled thinking about the way 20 mph speed limits and zones work and are unlikely to create a universal and practical answer to Britain’s road deaths which are skewed towards the vulnerable road users.

Pedestrians make up 21% of road deaths in Britain compared to just 9.4% in the Netherlands and 11.4% in Sweden. Britain’s %age pedestrian deaths is one of the highest in Europe[2]. Most Northern European countries have default speed limits of just 18.5 mph in residential and urban areas. These countries achieve far greater road safety and urban quality of life without the need for the expensive average speed cameras proposed by Jim Fitzpatrick. These cameras rely upon registering and timing all cars entering and leaving a particular 20 mph area. They are very expensive to deploy requiring cameras on every entry/exit point, sophisticated communications and elaborate setup. Even then, they will not measure maximum speeds within the areas. They are only practical in small areas with few entry/exit points.

Default lower speeds which respect the needs of vulnerable road users are achievable by responding to the wishes of the vast majority of people who see the sense of lower speeds and being much tougher on the minority who do not feel the same responsibilities. Other countries use a combination of public debate/consultation and covert manned enforcement to achieve these aims. Enforcement is easy and inexpensive in manpower if used covertly at random times and locations.

The minister also focussed on speed limits around schools. Whilst these may help on main roads, in residential areas evidence shows that the children most at risk are those walking or cycling and this risk is lowest around schools. Even around schools the risk is greatest for being crushed by low speed manoeuvres by parent’s cars whilst parking rather than other road users. Children walking or cycling to school face most risk from the high prevailing speeds of motor vehicles in residential streets away from schools. They need the protection and respect which comes from a default 20 mph speed limit in all residential streets.

“These proposals are simply tinkering with the problem of Britain having residential speed limits that are 60% higher than our European neighbours. We need the universal adoption of 20 mph as the default speed limit for residential roads, together with a commitment from government and police to enforcement. Until this is done then children and adults will needlessly die on our roads in order to preserve high vehicle speeds.”

[1] See Times Article 16^th May 2008 - http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article3941769.ece

Norwich could be the next city to implement 20 mph as a blanket speed limit on all residential roads. Earlier this week councillors from all four political parties backed the blanket speed limit as one of the council’s key aims for 2008/9.

Rupert Read, Green party councillor for the Wensum ward raised the amendment and said the lower speed limit would improve safety and reduce pollution in the city. He said :-

“When you have people on safe streets they are far more likely to walk or cycle on those streets. This is a consensual item across the chamber. The vast majority of us have thought for a long time the 20mph limit across the city should be put into place.”

20’s Plenty For Us notes that this was a unanimous decision by council members from all parties. It indicates that the community support for 20 mph in residential roads is being recognised by local politicians as a universal benefit regardless of party colour.

Norwich City councillors have given a very clear indication to Norfolk County Council (who are the traffic authority for Norwich) regarding their community aspirations.

The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety says Britain's annual 3,100 road death toll would be cut by two-thirds to around 1,000 a year if all residential areas had 20mph limits. Britain’s default speed limit of 30 mph is 60% higher than that throughout most Northern European towns where far more citizens enjoy the opportunity to walk and cycle in greater safety. At the same time UK pedestrians form a greater percentage of road fatalities (21%)[1] than any other EU country.

Rod King of 20’ Plenty For Us said :-

“This reflects the cultural change which has already been taking place in the UK. An increasing majority of the population now wants slower speeds in the streets where they live. The Audit Commission recently reported that 72% of drivers wanted 20 mph as the maximum speed for residential roads[2]. Recent changes in Department of Transport Guidelines on setting local speed limits enable this to be done without the necessity for physical calming.

It is great to see councils such as Norwich following the lead taken by Portsmouth and London in implementing 20 mph as a residential default speed limit. Local Authorities who maintain 30 mph as a default limit will be unnecessarily contributing to deaths in their own communities and Britain maintaining its European lead in pedestrian fatalities.”

[1] European Road Safety Observatory – Traffic Safety Basic Facts 2006 – Pedestrians, Table 3

[2] Audit Commission (2007) Changing Lanes: evolving roles in road safety, Audit Commission, London p15

The recently publicised report from the AA claiming that 20 mph speed limits increases pollution is laughable for both it shallow basis for testing and its failing to understand the wider environmental reasons for, and benefits of lower speeds.

The report suggested that rogue drivers who accelerate between speed bumps will emit up to 46% more CO2. Rather than condemning this illegal and fuel wasting practice, the AA claims that this questions the environmental benefits of lower speeds.

It also reports that when travelling at a constant 20 mph in 3rd gear a car uses 10% more fuel (and emissions) than a constant 30 mph in 4th gear. Had they done the 20 mph test in 4th gear they would have found very little difference.

The AA also misses the point that high vehicle speeds are the greatest deterrent to people walking and cycling instead of using the car. In Hilden, Germany, the percentage of in-town trips made by bicycle increased to 23% since the introduction of an 18.6 mph speed limit in all residential roads. Britain’s default speed limit of 30 mph is 60% higher than that throughout most Northern European towns where far more citizens enjoy the opportunity to walk and cycle in greater safety. At the same time UK pedestrians form a greater percentage of road fatalities (21%)1 than any other EU country.

The increase in CO2 emissions caused by "rogue" drivers and their anti-social behaviour is insignificant compared to the huge saving in emissions from reducing speeds and enabling people to switch from cars to cycling and walking.

The latest government guidelines on urban speed limits enable the implementation of 20 mph speed limits without physical calming. The AA report is therefore both misleading and irrelevant.

Rod King of 20’ Plenty For Us said:-

“This report seems to be a knee-jerk reaction to the increasing demand for 20 mph on residential roads not only from communities but also drivers. The AA report is not credible and fails to take into account the environmental benefits of modal shift which comes from lower speeds.”

Yesterday’s announcement from Transport for London that London borough councils will be able to implement 20mph as a blanket speed limit across complete boroughs was welcomed by 20’s Plenty For Us.

The new scheme allows boroughs to put in 20 mph limits with or without enforcement measures. Whilst major through routes will be exempt and still be set at 30 mph, the lower speeds in residential areas will bring fewer accidents and increased quality of life.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London said

"Twenty miles per hour speed limits save lives and make our neighbourhoods better. These measures will
build on what we have already done so that the quality of life in our local neighbourhoods is improved for
everyone. I think if you can say 20mph zones without the road humps there won't be any opposition.”

London is following Portsmouth which already has 20 mph as the limit on all residential roads without the use of speed bumps. In fact 20 mph makes just a marginal difference in journey times which are invariably dictated by congestion rather than maximum speed.

The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety says Britain's annual 3,100 road death toll would be cut by two-thirds to around 1,000 a year if all residential areas had 20mph limits.

Britain’s default speed limit of 30 mph is 60% higher than that throughout most Northern European towns where far more citizens enjoy the opportunity to walk and cycle in greater safety. At the same time UK pedestrians form a greater percentage of road fatalities (21%)1 than any other EU country.

Rod King of 20’ Plenty For Us said :-

“This reflects the cultural change which has already been taking place in the UK. An increasing majority of the
population now wants slower speeds in the streets where they live. The Audit Commission recently reported
that 72% of drivers wanted 20 mph as the maximum speed for residential roads2. Recent changes in
Department of Transport Guidelines on setting local speed limits enable this to be done without the necessity
for physical calming.

Now is the time for other local authorities to follow the lead from Portsmouth and London in implementing
20 mph as a residential default speed limit. Those who do not will be unnecessarily contributing to deaths in
their own communities and Britain maintaining its European lead in pedestrian fatalities.”