"Roads used by children walking to school should be 20mph by default" says councillor amid speed review
“Everyone wants to have safer, calmer roads, and reducing speeds is an important part of achieving that”
A councillor who fought to introduce lower speed limits in his ward has backed a widespread review of 20mph restrictions across the city.
Sheffield City Council is currently hosting a consultation asking residents what type of streets should be considered for 20mph speed restrictions.
And as the public begin to put their thoughts forward, councillor Minesh Parekh has said that “busy roads, particular those used by children walking to school, should be 20mph by default.”
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The Crookes and Crosspool councillor has previously backed proposals which saw 20mph speed limits introduced on residential roads across his ward.
“Everyone wants to have safer, calmer roads, and reducing speeds is an important part of achieving that,” he added.
“I'm pleased the council is reviewing 20mph policy - something I have called for over several years. Busy roads, particular those used by children walking to school, should be 20mph by default.
"If a policy review is worthwhile, we have to get the detail right. My key tests will be the pace of delivery, stronger enforcement, clear inclusion criteria, and a commitment to education and cultural change. I want to see a faster roll-out, proper enforcement so drivers follow the rules, and a policy that reduces speeds on busier roads.
“Alongside this, we need sustained work to change driver behaviour too."
The ongoing survey has 12 options for types of streets to face speed restrictions, including residential roads, main roads, rural roads, streets near shops, streets near schools, and ‘streets with high numbers of people walking cycling and wheeling’.
One of the options is ‘all of the above’ - introducing the possibility of a blanket 20mph limit on the city’s 1,228 miles of road.
Coun Alexi Dimond, chair of the transport, regeneration and climate committee, said they were consulting on types of roads not individual roads or areas, adding: “We want Sheffield residents to help shape how we approach 20mph speed limits in the future.
"Our current policy focuses on residential-only streets, but evidence from across the country shows that applying 20mph limits to other types of roads would improve safety and reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in collisions. “