Britons could see hundreds of roads drop to 20mph despite driver backlash - 'We don't want it!'

But as the motion looks to pass, drivers in Wirral will have until September 25 to share their views on the consultation launched by the council.

The decision will see nearly 600 roads change to 20mph and has been backed by councillors in the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee.

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The council stated that the 20mph zones would aim to put Wirral in line with national plans to make roads safer for everyone.

“It was a key recommendation from Wirral’s Road Safety Working Group and is part of Wirral’s contribution to the Liverpool City Region Road Safety Strategy, which aims to reduce the number and severity of road traffic collisions working to an overall ‘vision zero’ target by 2040,” the local authority explained.

Wirral Council added: “We believe that local residents are the best placed to comment on the proposals that affect where they live and travel to.

“Residents can comment on where the best places to put the 20mph signs are, where the speed limits should start and stop and if any roads that are not earmarked to be 20mph in the plans should be. Residents can also set out whether or not they agree with the introduction of 20mph speed limits on particular roads.”

The rollout of the lower speed limits would be funded by £300,000 given to the council by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Consultation has started on the final two phases of the introduction of 20mph speed limits on roads in the borough, having already been given the green light for the first two phases earlier this year.

The council added: “Consultation isn’t just a box-ticking process. When it comes to introducing new Traffic Regulation Orders, which we have to do for 20mph speed limits to become law - we have to look at every objection raised, the rationale behind them, and publish a written response to each one as part of the decision-making process.”

The findings of the consultation are reported back to the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee for councillors to decide whether to go ahead with the plan.

The council stated that if the number of “objections stack up” then changes to the scheme can be made.

Although the consultation is an open process to gain feedback from drivers, many have been left furious over the proposals for lower speeds.

Writing on Facebook, one person claimed: “Despite what that council says, it is just a tick box exercise. You only have the 'consultation' because it's a legal requirement. It isn't a normal run of the mill planning application where objections can be rejected.

“This is a pet council project where, if a majority of residents say the don't want it, that should be accepted - residents shouldn't need to have ‘valid reasons’ - The council should accept ‘we don't want it’ with good grace and move on.”

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Another resident stated: "Here's a question for you. Speed limits are just that, limits. So say I don't feel comfortable driving at 20mph on your new limits. Who's to say I can't drive at 5/10mph? You're implementing 20mph speed limits regardless of what the actual residents of Wirral want. A VERY SMALL and vocal minority are in favour of these changes."

The council plans to roll out more 20mph zones over the next four years and will be holding consultations along the way. Residents have been invited to get involved and share their views, by taking part in the surveys and activities.

“For each phase the feedback provided will be reported to committee and members will have the final say if schemes proceed to implementation,” the council detailed.