YORK’s cabinet member with responsibility for transport, Cllr David Levene, effectively inherited the 20mph policy from his predecessor, Cllr Dave Merrett. So how committed is he to the scheme – and is there any chance of a change of direction? We put some questions to him.

Q: You ‘inherited’ the policy from your predecessor, Dave Merrett. Is it something you intend to press on with?

A: This was a promise Labour – not any individual – made at the last election in our manifesto. I’m a strong believer that politicians should do what they promised to do, and I won’t be breaking that promise to York residents.


Q: Is it a pilot scheme? Will data be analysed to see if 20mph limits have any impact on reducing accident statistics? If they don’t will the restrictions be reversed?

A: The scheme is permanent – the only pilot was certain elements of South Bank which was the first area this was rolled out to.

It should be clarified that the policy we are working from to implement these speed limits comes direct from the Department for Transport – residential 20mph limits are being rolled out nationally, in numerous towns and cities across the country .

While safety is a consideration, as it is true that slower speeds mean the frequency and severity of accidents can be reduced, the main focus of this programme is about improving the local environment of neighbourhoods for residents: replacing the mish-mash we have at the moment with a consistent, clearly understandable approach to promote more considerate driving, increase confidence about safety on York’s streets, and make streets more useable spaces by encouraging more walking and cycling.


Q: Data shows accident figures were coming down anyway. Why was this city-wide policy necessary?

A: I think that’s another way of saying how many slight injuries, serious injuries and deaths are acceptable? The answer of course is we don’t want any and so it’s important we don’t rest on our laurels – while the figures are reducing there’s still work to do.

These limits aim to create an environment where traffic is travelling under 20mph, alongside and complementing our existing programme of targeted accident reduction measures.


Q: The new speed limits are not legally binding, merely ‘advisory’? Why should anyone take any notice of them?

A: This is not the case. As Julia Mulligan, the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner, told Minster FM on November 1 2013 20mph limits “can be enforced in a similar way to other speed limits”. City of York Council, as Highways Authority, has powers under the Highways Act 1980 and associated Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 to implement a legal change of speed limit.

The 20mph speed limits are intended to be largely self-enforcing, so actual enforcement of a well-designed scheme is likely to be limited. But 20mph speed limits, legally signed in accordance with regulations (as they are in York) are enforceable, and North Yorkshire Police have confirmed that they will indeed enforce them.


Q: A recent Institute of Advanced Motorists report claimed “most motorists don’t want blanket 20mph zones”. Do you accept there is resistance to the idea?

A: The scheme is not a “blanket 20mph zone”. These 20mph speed limits are being introduced in a considered way, leaving a comprehensive network of primary, secondary and feeder/distributor roads at their existing speed limits.

In reality, most drivers around York will only encounter a 20mph residential street at the beginning or end of their journeys. Unlike zones, which have associated traffic calming, such as speed humps, these limits are signed-only, highlighting to drivers that they are in a residential street and that additional care and attention is needed.


Q: Isn’t £500,000-plus a lot to have spent on a scheme most people don’t want?

A: While we recognise this scheme is controversial, there isn’t the evidence that a majority of people do not want it. The consultation we undertook was the standard traffic order advert that asked for objections, not a yes/no poll, and in any case received a tiny number of responses.

The British Social Attitudes Survey has found 72 per cent in support. Thousands of people across York have signed petitions over the years asking for 20mph in their street. And ultimately, York residents voted for a manifesto that included a promise to roll out 20mph limits.

The cost of the scheme is comparable to road safety spending under the previous administration and in other councils, and in fact for a scheme which will cover nearly every residential street within the Outer Ring Road, it is very cost effective. Finally, it’s worth pointing out that the funding for the 20mph limits is coming from a Department for Transport grant rather than council tax.