Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2023/026

Contact: Geoff Barrell, Developer Schemes Coordinator and 20 Limits Project Manager.

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM 15).

To consider proposed 20mph speed limits.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management AGREED to approve the proposed introduction of 20mph speed limits as advertised.

The report presented responses to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of 20mph speed limits in Uffington.

The Chair invited the speaker to address the meeting and then addressed points made in the written submissions received.

The Chair thanked the speaker for his considered contribution. In response, the Chair stated that the Council’s 20mph policy was about enhancing road safety and believed that driving through a small village at 20mph was safe and would enable traffic to flow properly. The Chair agreed that ongoing discussion regarding the interface between 20mph limits and public transport was vital and the Council was dedicating time and effort into working with its partners on such proposals. The Council’s ambition of reducing car journeys was ambitious but vital nonetheless due to the number of car journeys surpassing the capacity of road networks.

Officers confirmed that they were working with bus companies and freight providers and discussing reprofiling of local businesses’ delivery schedules with Better Business. The scheme would be monitored and kept under review to ensure that the system worked for everyone.

The Cabinet Member felt that the scheme would improve road safety and encourage greater use of active travel by reducing speeds. Officers reiterated that objections and concerns raised had been considered and all schemes would be monitored and kept under review.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED the proposed introduction of 20mph speed limits as advertised.