Transition Wilmslow and their guests were privileged to hear Rod King from the national 20s Plenty campaign speak in June as he provided us with all the arguments for adopting 20mph as the default speed limit in Wilmslow. The turnout included local politicians and residents.
Following on from the very successful meeting, Transition Wilmslow ran an interactive petition at the Artisan Market in July to ask residents for their opinions.
Using printed street maps of Wilmslow, Handforth and Alderley Edge, people were invited to consider their interest in 20 speed limits, and where they would be most suitable by pinning a 20 speed limit on the street of their choice.
Members reported a strong interest in reduction of speed limits in areas around schools, where the safety of children is paramount. However, the main streets identified at the market were Hawthorn Lane into Broadway, Water Lane and Hawthorn Street. These are routes into Wilmslow, and can be busy at times.
Hawthorn Lane currently has traffic calming, but residents are concerned that council plans to resurface the road may not include re-installing these measures when the work is done. Ironically, on the morning of the market, Hawthorn Lane was blocked following a head on collision.
The 20’s Plenty campaign recognises the rights of all road users and motorists, and looks to create safer environments for all. Among the arguments for a 20mph limit are that the 30mph limit was introduced in 1934 when there were approximately 1.5 million vehicles on the road, there are now close to 40million!
Also, children of primary school age - because their vision isn’t fully developed until their early teens - can’t reliably see cars as a threat when they’re approaching at speeds above 20mph: they don’t appear to “loom” towards them and so they don’t detect the danger.
The UK government is now making it easier for local councils to cut speed limits, and based on actual costs of implementation so far in the UK, it would only cost £2-3 per head to turn a community into a 20mph area. In fact, for the cost of turning one street into a 20mph zone with traffic calming, you could turn the whole of Wilmslow into a default 20mph limit town, and it would be less confusing to motorists.
For more information and to sign the 20s Plenty petition visit the 20s plenty websiteor write to email [email protected] and help us make Wilmslow's streets a safer space between houses.
For further information on the Transport Group at Transition Wilmslow email [email protected].
This is a member post by Rachel Corrigan.
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