Brighton considers 20mph limit

Brighton & Hove City Council is considering plans to introduce a 20mph speed limit in most residential and shopping areas.

The city council is proposing a phased introduction of 20mph limits over the next three years, in response to requests from residents, to improve road safety.

Most major roads and arterial routes such as the A259 seafront road and the Old Shoreham Road are unlikely to be included and will continue to have 30mph limits.

Ten thousand questionnaires are being sent out to homes and businesses across the city, selected at random, to invite people to give their views.

The proposal to introduce 20mph limits in most residential and shopping streets follows the introduction of two 20mph pilot schemes around Stanford Infant and Junior Schools in Brighton and around schools in Portslade Old Village earlier this year.

Councillor Ian Davey, chair of Brighton & Hove City Council's Transport Committee, said: "We are responding to the many requests that the council has received for speed limit reduction in residential areas over many years.

"The idea of these proposals is to improve safety and quality of life for residents and those who work in, or visit, the city.  We are not talking about a citywide blanket 20pmh limit - the proposals cover most residential and shopping areas, but exclude main routes in and out of the city and across the city.

"We hope that making the streets safer and more pleasant to use will encourage more cycling and walking. This will not only bring road safety benefits, but will also help to reduce congestion and improve air quality.

"These are proposals at this stage - no final decisions have been taken - and we want to encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation to ensure that we can consider everyone's views."