Cllr. Rupert Read today welcomed a report to the Norwich Highways Agency Committee (NHAC, which meets this Thursday morning at City Hall at 10 a.m.) on which he sits as a voting member.
The report signals the beginning of the implementation of a blanket 20mph speed limit across residential areas of Norwich, excepting major arteries.
The report recommends trialling the lower speed limit in three residential areas around Norwich and then rolling out the lower speed limit across all 'unclassified' (low-traffic) residential roads in the city should it prove successful. It is proposed that the pilot take place from March to September 2009 in areas around Jex Road, Vauxhall Street and Borrowdale Drive.
Dr. Read, who is the Norwich Green Party's Transport Spokesperson and lead candidate in the Eastern Region for the European Parliamentary Elections in June 2009, has campaigned hard for the speed limit change over the last few years, and it was an amendment by him to an NHAC report last year which made 20mph limits possible in Norwich. He says:
"I welcome this as the next step towards a more sustainable transport system in Norwich. It was especially encouraging to get such a positive response for the 20mph limit in the consultations with residents - it is good to see well over three quarters of those consulted being keen to make 20mph limits in residential areas happen.
"A 20mph limit across the city would make streets safer for everyone, saving lives and encouraging people to switch to more sustainable modes of transportation like walking and cycling. Furthermore, driving at 30 through residential areas is actually less fuel efficient than driving at 20, because with 30mph limits on residential roads drivers are constantly adjusting their speed, accelerating and decelerating, so the change should save motorists a little money, reduce casualties and help save the planet.
"The 20mph limit has already been implemented in UK towns and is the norm for many towns on the Continent. The evidence from these various 'trials' already in place shows the scheme to have substantial safety and pollution benefits, so I do have questions about the need to conduct a further and more modest trial here. But it is certainly very encouraging to see this change becoming a reality after years of resistance by the County Council."
Rupert Read Green Party Councillor, Norwich, and Lead Candidate for Eastern Region for the Greens in the 2009 Euro-elections.
DID YOU KNOW: A vote of about 10% across Eastern Region on June 4 2009 would be enough to get me elected to the European Parliament.
The report signals the beginning of the implementation of a blanket 20mph speed limit across residential areas of Norwich, excepting major arteries.
The report recommends trialling the lower speed limit in three residential areas around Norwich and then rolling out the lower speed limit across all 'unclassified' (low-traffic) residential roads in the city should it prove successful. It is proposed that the pilot take place from March to September 2009 in areas around Jex Road, Vauxhall Street and Borrowdale Drive.
Dr. Read, who is the Norwich Green Party's Transport Spokesperson and lead candidate in the Eastern Region for the European Parliamentary Elections in June 2009, has campaigned hard for the speed limit change over the last few years, and it was an amendment by him to an NHAC report last year which made 20mph limits possible in Norwich. He says:
"I welcome this as the next step towards a more sustainable transport system in Norwich. It was especially encouraging to get such a positive response for the 20mph limit in the consultations with residents - it is good to see well over three quarters of those consulted being keen to make 20mph limits in residential areas happen.
"A 20mph limit across the city would make streets safer for everyone, saving lives and encouraging people to switch to more sustainable modes of transportation like walking and cycling. Furthermore, driving at 30 through residential areas is actually less fuel efficient than driving at 20, because with 30mph limits on residential roads drivers are constantly adjusting their speed, accelerating and decelerating, so the change should save motorists a little money, reduce casualties and help save the planet.
"The 20mph limit has already been implemented in UK towns and is the norm for many towns on the Continent. The evidence from these various 'trials' already in place shows the scheme to have substantial safety and pollution benefits, so I do have questions about the need to conduct a further and more modest trial here. But it is certainly very encouraging to see this change becoming a reality after years of resistance by the County Council."
Rupert Read Green Party Councillor, Norwich, and Lead Candidate for Eastern Region for the Greens in the 2009 Euro-elections.
DID YOU KNOW: A vote of about 10% across Eastern Region on June 4 2009 would be enough to get me elected to the European Parliament.
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