YORK’S transport chief says city-wide 20mph speed limits have strong support and a survey where only seven residents backed them was not a popularity poll.

Only 97 people from 13,000 homes responded to a City of York Council consultation on proposals for reduced limits in west York, and 87 of them objected.

But the authority intends to approve the plans next week, with officials having said there are no "significant" objections to 20mph being introduced.

Coun Dave Merrett, cabinet member for transport, said “a number of residents, head teachers and key businesses” supported bringing 20mph forward.

He said up to 81 per cent of people surveyed in South Bank favoured rolling them out, while only ten residents objected when traffic orders were advertised.

He said: “This is echoed through the very small response to the leaflet with the west York speed limit orders, aimed at giving people information on why we are introducing the 20mph limits and offering an opportunity to express views on the proposals for implementing the scheme.

“As a result, only 87 people out of about 13,000 households leafleted formally objected. We are committed to improving our environment, making walking and cycling more attractive and making our roads safer. At lower speeds, everybody has more time to respond and the degree of injury is less.”

He said each consultation leaflet’s 22p cost was “justifiable” because of the scheme’s scale and the information provided.

The city-wide 20mph scheme has a £500,000 budget, with Coun Merrett saying it should be a "cost-effective approach" and “miles cheaper” than a traditional zoned approach.

The Press yesterday ran a poll, asking whether readers support the council's 20mph plans.

More than 1,000 people voted, with 80 per cent saying no, 19 per cent yes and one per cent being unsure.