Issued by City of York Council
Supported by Headteachers in the West of York School’s Partnership and one of the UK’s leading health & well being mutuals, City of York Council is beginning the roll out of 20mph speed limits in residential areas across the West of York.
From this week signs will be installed over a two-month period on the smaller, residential roads across the West of the city and road users are asked to keep a look out for these and keep within the new speed limit – full details of the scheme can be found at on the York 20mph website.
Schools and businesses in the area will receive leaflets and information explaining the reasons behind the scheme and how this impacts them directly; these will also be available online to download.
The scheme is the first main phase of the policy to introduce 20mph speed limits in residential areas across the city to help promote considerate driving, make walking and cycling more attractive and raise confidence in the safety of local neighbourhoods, which builds on the wider city i-Travel York programme.
Find out why the council is introducing 20mph areas and how this ties into the i-Travel scheme by watching a video here: www.youtube.com/cityofyorkcouncil
Councillor Dave Merrett, Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability, said: “With significant reductions of up to 3mph (average speeds) in parts of Fishergate ward as a direct result of introducing a lower speed limit, this should prove to be a beneficial scheme.
“The introduction of lower speed limits, in accordance with the latest Government guidance, reduces speeds giving drivers more time to react to the presence of other road users, and reducing the likelihood and scale of any potential remaining collisions.
“We are seeking to increase driver and safety awareness on our roads as part of the roll out. We as a city are committed to making York’s roads safer; and invite everyone to also look at and sign up to our new iPledge scheme to improve road safety.”
Inspector Michael Barron of North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group, said: “Speeding is one of the major concerns highlighted by members of the public. Not only is inappropriate and excessive speed a cause of deaths and serious injuries, but it can affect people’s quality of life.
“By reducing the speed limits through residential areas, noise pollution will be reduced and the environment will feel safer for all road users and pedestrians alike, and in the unfortunate event of a collision, the severity of injuries can be reduced.
“Drivers should also remember that the speed limit is not a target, and should also drive according to the road conditions and potential hazards at the time.”
West of York School’s Partnership, which includes all Headteachers in the West of York, said: “We are encouraged by the positive results that have been achieved in the trial areas across the city and as school leaders we are delighted to be able to work in partnership to support strategies which ensure the safety and well-being of our pupils and our communities.
Marc Bell, Chief Executive at Benenden Health – based on Holgate Park Drive – said: “As a major health & well being organisation with strong links to the community, Benenden Health is a strong supporter of forward-thinking initiatives that could help York’s infrastructure and encourage greater well being.
“Not only can the scheme improve road safety and encourage a healthier environment for walking and cycling, but it could help free up traffic flows in areas where alternative forms of transport have become safer to use.
“This will directly benefit Benenden Health as a York employer whose employees commute to our Holgate Park Drive offices from all over York’s region.”
The signed-only 20mph speed limits are designed to be self-enforcing and aim to support, strengthen and work alongside the many existing traffic calmed 20mph zones that are already in place in many residential streets and around schools in the West of the city.
Introducing a 20mph scheme has the potential to reduce collisions, which is demonstrated by schemes in other areas such as Newcastle, Warrington and Lancashire showing significant safety benefits.
National evidence shows that for every 1mph reduction in average speeds a six per cent reduction of casualties could be expected on urban roads.
Last week, the council officially launched its iPledge campaign, backed by all three emergency services, to promote safer use on York’s roads by asking people to sign up to a citywide pledge.
For further information visit the the iTravel website.
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