Campaigners are to launch a drive for safer roads in York and North Yorkshire, underpinned by a 20mph speed limit across the region.
Transport activists will hold a public meeting later this month to discuss ways to minimise road accident casualties.
It will take place at Cycle Heaven on Hospital Fields Road, York, on Thursday (9 November) and will include the launch of an Action Vision Zero Petition for York & North Yorkshire.
This will urge City of York Council and the upcoming combined transport authority for North Yorkshire to
“reduce traffic harm by adopting the Vision Zero target of zero killed or serious road injuries. We call for safe systems and traffic reduction; key is a 20mph default speed limit in built-up areas across the region”.
It comes as York council prepares a strategic review of transport policy which aims to reduce car use by 20%, increase bus use by 50% and double active travel.
Next week’s meeting is hosted by 20’s Plenty for York, Action Vision Zero York & York Cycle Campaign.
Discussions will include
- 20mph for all the bridges and the station ASAP and the inner ring road and widely for arterials
- active enforcement of 20mph as a key task of the new Combined Authority Mayor
- average camera enforcement of key 20mph routes
- speed reduction on rural side lanes
- parking enforcement to include pavement parking enforcement so cars aren’t blocking cycle routes.
A spokesperson said: “Speed reduction and road user safety is key to realising these sustainable changes.
“Draft options offered to the economic scrutiny committee on 24 October showed laudable ambition. However they did not go far enough to achieve the goal of traffic reduction by 20% or doubling active modes like cycling, particularly on road safety.
“Safer roads network-wide is the way to get a better mix of sustainable transport modes using routes shared with motors.
“The York and North Yorkshire Action Vision Zero petition will be launched to support the policy of a target of no road deaths or serious injuries.
“Underpinning that is slower speeds for roads inside and outside the city, both side and main roads.”
At the meeting, speakers “will compare and contrast best practice such as 20mph limits where motors mix with vulnerable road users with options”.
Speakers will include Professor Tony May of York Civic Trust, Anna Semlyen, 20’s Plenty for Us national campaign manager, and John Cossham of the York World Naked Bike Ride.
Speed Matters: Public Meeting on Road Speed and Safety policy takes place on Thursday 9 November, 7.30pm-9pm. All are welcome, no need to book