20mph zones!

[andrew_sthnd]

I live in Portsmouth and as some of you may be aware they are aiming to be the first city to implement new driving regulations which would mean a reduction of speed from 30mph to 20mph around residential areas. I live in Southsea and this would be one of the affected areas and I can understand the reasoning behind it - there are very narrow roads with cars on each sides and many schools are situated around this area and as a result a greater number of kids. I think many will be sceptical of ths scheme and I think it will definately take a while to get used to but what are your thoughts...?

Follow the link for more info:
http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/8403.html

 

[Pubey]

i think it is a great idea... many people drive far to fast in built up areas and seem to think that just because it is a 30 limit it is safe to drive at 30, and more often at 35-40 which is extremely dangerous. In places like leigh broadway and much of leigh IMO it should be lower and i think there should be harsher punishments for people who break the limit. on the flip side i think the limit on motorways should be increased to 80

 

[Mr. Benedict]

Good idea for narrow roads in residential areas like the example you give, but I've heard mentions of blanket 20mph limits which would be a bad idea - each road is different and there's loads of places where such a blanket reduction would be unnecessary as the roads are wide and parked-car free.

 

[Pubey]

yeah don't get me wrong blanket reductions would be pointless but for example the road i live down and the roads nearby (between london rd and pall mall and london road and manchester drive) are double parked and narrow... 20mph is much more sensible... in very built up areas with heavy congestion they actually mean you get through quicker because it is the stops and starts that cause congestion and having 20mph on busy narrow roads may well help ease congestion there

 

[BrettieAngell]

on the flip side i think the limit on motorways should be increased to 80

Absolutely agree with that!

As for the 20mph in cartain areas i think it is needed.

 

[weststander]

There are 20mph areas all around the West Leigh School, doesnt stop the parents and other idiots ignoring it though and whizzing up and down the roads regardless. Its going to take a bad accident or death before anything serious will be considered, if you ask me these are the areas that need all the speed cameras, not on a duel carriageway 100 yards before it goes national speed limit !!!!! (a la A127)

 

[Pubey]

yep i agree with you there

 

[Southampton Shrimper]

I would be opposed to any scheme that forces me to spend any longer in Southsea than is necessary!!

;)

 

[Southampton Shrimper]

But on a serious note...

As others have said, it's fine if it's done on a road-by-road basis. If they're just going to say for a certain square-mileage every single road in the area is going to have a 20mph limit, then that's just crazy!

But there's nothing wrong with doing it certain roads. In Germany, they have what they call "Spielstrassen" (play roads), which are only residential streets, where priority is given to pedestrians and children playing in the street. According to the letter of the law, if you are driving down one of these roads then you are not permitted to drive at a speed that is faster than walking pace. Obviously in most cars that's not really possible, but people do go extremely slowly and kids playing football in the street don't have to worry about jumping for their lives every time a car comes past.

 

[Pubey]

might help our national football improve as well!... take it back to the street!

 

[Jam_Man]

Been done in Westcliff on some of the narrower roads between Fairfax and london road and works fine as you rarely get to drive much faster and if you are doing so are putting people at risk.

As long as its done with common sense and they dont apply it to dual carriage ways etc cant see it being a problem.

 

[Uncle Leo]

A fine idea if enforced properly. They have just installed a 20mph limit near Uxbridge High School, but there are no speed cameras and the raised pelican crossing doesn't slow cars down, so there doesn't appear to be much point.