Minutes:
The Council had before it a Notice of Motion set out in the agenda papers standing in the names of Mr M E Jenkins, Dr C Hotham, Dr J W Raine, Mrs M A Rayner and Mr T A L Wells.
The motion was moved by Mr M E Jenkins and seconded by Prof J W Raine who both spoke in favour of it, and Council agreed to deal with it on the day.
The following amendment was moved by Mr A T Amos and seconded by Mr P Middlebrough:
“Requests for more 20mph speed limits, particularly in residential areas and near schools, are often made to councillors. This motion requests that a task group or member advisory group be set up to review how 20mph areas are currently considered and look at the feasibility of creating a process that would allow a 20mph area to be created within a councillor’s division.”
In the ensuing debate, the following points were raised:
· A recent trial of 20mph speed limits in Rubery had not shown a reduction in recorded accidents, however it had failed to acknowledge the wider benefits of lowering speeds, increasing walking and cycling, decreased pollution levels as well as the support of national and local health services. The current policy was outdated and did not reflect the increased adoption of such measures across the country. A Department for Transport report in 2018 showed that medium speed limits reduced in areas with 20mph speed limit as faster drivers tended to reduce their speed more. There was a great deal of public support for 20mph speed limits. Lower speed limits made streets safer, more inclusive and attractive for everyone. The motion sought to make the introduction of 20mph speed limits a local issue. The Residents Parking Scheme could be used as a template for its introduction. Many schemes could be introduced at minimal cost requiring little engineering work. The motion would allow councillors to contribute from their Divisional and/or Highways Fund
· The current 20mph speed limit policy needed to be reviewed to provide greater responsiveness to local resident’s concerns
· The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways commented on behalf of the Conservative Group that the current policy was working successfully. It had been reviewed on two occasions via the Council’s scrutiny function and had been based on the outcome of a pilot study in Rubery. The Policy allowed 20mph limits outside schools, in accident cluster sites and on new developments. The Police did not and would not enforce these zones and therefore they needed to be self-enforcing. As a result, additional engineering measures were necessary which were prohibitively expensive in terms of technology and officer time. Any review should include an examination of the criteria to determine the introduction of 20mph speed limits, the funding source for the work, and the extent of the consultation process in the local area, bearing in mind the impact on adjoining streets. The availability of staff resources to facilitate such work also needed to be borne in mind
· There was a danger that the introduction of 20mph limits could lead to motorists finding alternative routes and therefore creating problems elsewhere
· There was a danger that 20mph speed limits gave a false sense of security and became hazardous as people believed that they were being observed by motorists whereas the reality was that due to lack of enforcement by the Police, they were not. The existing policy did need to be reviewed to see if resources could be targeted and ensuring that 20mph speed limits were observed and enforced
· It was pointless introducing 20mph speed limits and additional signage if the Police did not enforce them
· As part of this review, it was important to understand the views of the public.
On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried and put as the substantive motion which was agreed.
RESOLVED: “Requests for more 20mph speed limits, particularly in residential areas and near schools, are often made to councillors. This motion requests that a task group or member advisory group be set up to review how 20mph areas are currently considered and look at the feasibility of creating a process that would allow a 20mph area to be created within a councillor’s division.”