West Berkshire Council is set to drop four proposed 20mph schemes following a lack of support from local residents in consultation.
The four 20mph schemes were originally planned for Thatcham, Bucklebury, Cold Ash and Hermitage, with funding allocated. The plans were developed on the back of a successful pilot in Theale, where there was community support for the introduction of a village-wide 20mph limit.
However, consultation found local residents' views were 'mixed' about the new schemes, with lower levels of support.
The council said that 20mph limits would only be introduced in areas 'where significant public support is clearly expressed, for example by local residents, community groups, and town and parish councils'.
Work will continue on consultations for proposed schemes in Lambourn and East Garston, as preparation is already underway and community support is anticipated in those areas.
A formal decision on the revised approach will be taken shortly by Cllr Stuart Gourley, executive member for highways and transport, the council said.
Cllr Gourley said: 'The Theale pilot was a success and showed what can be achieved when a community is supportive of a 20mph scheme. That gave us confidence to look at other areas, but it's also clear that the level of support elsewhere has been mixed.
'We said from the beginning that these schemes would only go ahead where residents show support for them, and we have listened carefully to the views people have shared with us.
'We always listen to what people are telling us and, as a result, we are adapting our approach to focus on communities where there is strong local backing for introducing 20mph schemes. We will continue to look at requests for individual roads to have speed reductions where needed, and speed reductions outside of schools, and we will do this through our new Highways Improvement Group that we are launching this month, where such requests can be received and considered'
Further information about current and future 20mph consultations will be shared on the Council's website as proposals are brought forward for consideration are taken.
