More 20mph zones to be introduced in Wiltshire

By Local Democracy Reporter Peter Davison with additional reporting by Warminster Journal

More residential streets in the county could become 20mph zones under new plans unveiled by Wiltshire Council.

At a meeting of the council’s Cabinet earlier this month, Cllr Martin Smith, the portfolio holder for transport, said the scheme would apply to “appropriate” roads that are currently 30mph.

The announcement comes as a 20mph limit has already been proposed for a number of streets in Warminster, including Emwell Street, George Street, Silver Street and Market Place, alongside Coppice Close, Flers Court, George Street Place, High Street, Sambourne Gardens, Turnpike Court and sections of Sambourne Road, Vicarage Street and Weymouth Street.

A decision has not yet been made on this proposal as officers are currently reviewing the responses received during the consultation period.

Speaking about the plan for more 20mph zone across the county, Cllr Smith said, “Moving to 20 mph speed limits leads to a reduction in casualties of about 25 per cent.

“The Welsh experience in the first year showed that they had 100 fewer deaths, so the data is very robust in that respect.”

The new policy will apply to residential areas, village centres, town centres and places with high levels of walking and cycling.

Cllr Smith said, “the presumption will be that 20mph restrictions will be allowed.”

To make the process easier, requests for restrictions will be decided by officers rather than going through committees.

The council will fund the assessment work and any required data collection and the Traffic Regulation Order process for eligible 20mph proposals.

Town and parish councils will then fund the physical measures required on the ground, such as signs and road markings.

After the meeting, Cllr Smith said, “This policy provides a more straightforward route for communities that want to introduce 20mph limits in suitable locations, while also recognising that speed limits are only one part of improving road safety.

“By bringing together speed management, engineering solutions and partnership working with local communities and the police, we can continue working towards our goal of reducing serious and fatal collisions on Wiltshire’s roads.”