INTRODUCTION of 20mph speed limits on residential roads has already been completed in South Bank and in the western area of York.

A speed limit order was advertised for the north of York in April/ May, with a deadline for representations or objections by local people of May 9.

The order to introduce 20mph limits in residential streets in north York was granted on June 10, and local people will see 20mph signs being introduced there soon, if it hasn’t already started.

An East of York speed limit order is now being advertised, and many people in this part of the city will now have had leaflets through their doors.

They have until July 11 to make representations. Assuming the order to introduce 20mph limits is approved, signs will start going up there from August Which streets are affected?

The 20mph limits are only being introduced on residential streets. The limits will not apply on major arterial routes into York, in the city centre, or in rural areas (villages) around York which fall within the city council boundary. The scheme may, however, be rolled out to surrounding villages in 2015/16.

How much is the scheme costing?

The total cost of the roll-out is expected to be almost £500,000.

Of that, £293,000 has so far been spent on implementing the roll-out in west and north York and South Bank. The money has been spent as follows:

Leaflets/Posters: £7,000
Signs and lines: £107,000
Legal costs: £10,000
Staff costs (design, project management): £161,000
Speed surveys: £8,000

Most of the remaining budget (£200,000) will be spent on implementing the roll-out in east York, including the cost of signs.

What are the accident statistics for York roads?

Statistics show that, if anything, the number of people killed and injured on roads in York has reduced steadily over the last ten years.

In 2003, 100 people were killed or seriously injured on York roads. That rose to a peak of 160 in 2006, but since then the figures have fallen fairly steadily, down to 58 last year.

The number of people killed on the city’s roads reached a peak of 11 in 2005 - but last year there were no fatal injuries. Slight injuries have fallen from 729 in 2003 to 463 last year.

What do police think of 20mph limits?

Inspector Michael Barron of North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group, said: “Speeding is one of the major concerns highlighted to us by members of the public. Not only is inappropriate and excessive speed a cause of deaths and serious injuries, but it can affect people’s quality of life.

“By reducing the speed limits through residential areas, noise pollution will be reduced and the environment will feel safer for all road users and pedestrians alike, and in the unfortunate event of a collision, the severity of injuries can be reduced.”