Let residents decide (From York Press)

Let residents decide

11:29am Monday 10th September 2012 in Letters By Readers' letters

I WRITE with regard to the 20mph concept proposed by the council’s Labour group.

I ask, would it not be best to go with a speed limit decided after consultation with local people, be that a call for pedestrianisation or a 40mph?

It may be that many residents in York want a 20 mile-per-hour limit. However, many will not.

It is downright presumptuous of the Labour group to consider that many residents will want a 20mph limit when many may want no cars, far slower cars or in fact accept that, on some routes, modern-day life requires reasonably rapid transport.

One size never fits all.

Richard Hill, Scarborough Terrace, York.
 

• RECENT coverage shows Labour’s confusion over 20mph speed limits.

Their cabinet member for transport claims that “each road is considered individually, rather than a simple blanket approach covering all roads” (The Press, August 27). This is the policy of the Liberal Democrats.

However, your editorial rightly says Labour’s policy is to impose blanket 20mph speed limits across the city (The Press, August 31).

Another Labour councillor claims residents support 20mph limits, with 75 per cent on one road agreeing with the proposals in a consultation.

However, a closer look shows that only 24 per cent of residents in the area responded, suggested 18.5 per cent favoured the proposals.

Now a respected former police accident investigator questions Labour’s plan and your paper calls for them to assess limits road-by-road.

Norman Baker, Lib Dem Transport Minister, said recently that 20mph limits were useful in certain residential where it can be shown they benefit road safety and quality of life.

Crucially, he added: “It’s vital speed limits are suitable for local conditions and councils are best placed to determine what these limits are, based on local knowledge and the views of the community.”

Coun Ann Reid (Lib Dem), Grassholme, Woodthorpe , York.