Press Releases

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.”