Drivers split over another 20mph zone in Sheffield as council aims to cover city
“Excellent. It's past time that SCC just got on and made the whole city a default 20mph limit”
Drivers are split over plans for another 20mph zone in Sheffield with some saying it is “pointless” without enforcement and others claiming it influences behaviour.
Sheffield City Council has published plans for a go-slow zone around Endcliffe Park, including busy Rustlings Road and Nether Green.
It says the aim is to cut accidents and encourage ‘active travel’ such as walking and cycling.
It will be the 102nd 20mph zone in Sheffield.
The authority says it has a ‘long-standing ambition to provide 20mph zones and speed limits in residential areas to improve transport and infrastructure and improve health and wellbeing’.
The new zone was publicised by Fulwood Liberal Democrats and sparked more than 150 comments.
Bill Brown said: “I am fully in favour, but there’s no point unless they’re going to be enforced.”
Andrew Stewart said driver behaviour made a difference: “It requires one driver to comply and every car behind will have to.”
Esther Hobson agreed: “It's not enforced in Fulwood but in my experience it has led to a marked reduction in average speed. Everyone gets used to travelling a little bit slower. It's quieter and calmer.”
Sherree Midgley said she stuck to the limit.
“We have 20 limits in Stannington and I always make a point of doing 20 to slow people down it works but you have to keep doing it.”
Neil Anderson claimed the statistics from Wales showed a significant drop in casualties.
Rebecca Hammond called for a 20mph limit across Sheffield “by default.”
She said: “Excellent. It's past time that SCC just got on and made the whole city a default 20mph limit.
“It's proven to reduce deaths and serious injuries and it makes virtually no difference to journey times by the time you've factored in all the stopping and slowing for junctions and traffic lights and queues of other drivers.”
But Craig Levick said it could be money wasted.
“You can place 20mph limits everywhere you like, but with no one to enforce it, it's a total waste of money.”
Richard Ashe said the restriction was not observed where he lives.
“Carter Knowle Road where we live is 20mph but you wouldn’t think so give the speeding that goes on.”
Alex Callery said it could make roads more dangerous.
“Fully behind the idea as a local driving instructor, but the problem is it isn’t enforced.
“Far too many people just ignore the limit or have zero awareness of it. In some cases it has caused more dangerous overtakes and tailgating towards the ones actually adhering to the new limit.”
“Nobodoy polices the 20mph limit so what is the point of it?
“Cars doing 50 to 70 on Valley Road and Rushdale Road. Signage is not enough and people disregard it.”
Sheffield City Council has had a policy to introduce 20mph zones since 2011.
In March, 74 had been completed, plus 12 child safety zones, with a further 27 announced.
The authority says lower speed limits in residential areas typically cut injury rates by 50 per cent and ‘complement’ strategies for active travel modes such as walking and cycling.
It said: “Overall, these proposals will improve road safety by creating a safer road environment, reducing the number and severity of accidents which occur in these areas, and contributing to a long-term change in driver behaviour with slower vehicle speeds in residential areas.”
Roads in the new 20mph zone around Endcliffe, called ‘Collegiate’ are:
Betjeman Gardens, Cruise Road, Endcliffe Edge, Endcliffe Glen Road, Endcliffe Grove Avenue, Endcliffe Hall Avenue, Endcliffe Rise Road, Endcliffe Terrace Road, Endcliffe Vale Avenue, Endcliffe Vale Road, Everton Road, Graham Road, Hangingwater Close, Hangingwater Road, Nethergreen Road, Newington Road, Oakbrook Road, Park Avenue, Riverdale Avenue, Riverdale Road, Rossington Road, Rustlings Road, The Glade, The Glen, Wiseton Road, Woodvale Road, and Wragby Road.
Public comments are open until July 2.