Northern city to roll out ‘moronic’ 20mph limits despite driver protests
Bradford Council to change more than 80 roads
PA
Drivers have been warned that nearly 100 streets in a major city could see their speed limits lowered.
Bradford Council is currently mulling over whether to turn more than 80 streets into 20mph limits.
Before the council makes its decision, it has opened a consultation on the proposed traffic measures in Manningham and Heaton.
Local residents will have until September 6 at midday to offer their response before the council makes its final choice.
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Residents have until September 6 to respond to consultation
GETTYBut the proposed changes have been met with fury by residents and drivers in the city, who have called the idea “moronic”.
Taking to social media, one person shared: “Moronic. They did that Iikely against the wishes of the majority.
“Expensive and achieves nothing positive. Rather than waste the money on that, spend it on clamping down more heavily on owners and vehicles that are dangerously parked, poorly maintained, uninsured, no MOT.”
Someone else shared: “There is no point in Bradford council changing nearly 90 roads to 20 mph, if West Yorkshire police don't have enough staff to enforce the existing speed limits.”
Last week the Transport Secretary shocked drivers across the UK by refusing to budge on the Labour Government’s stance towards 20mph limits and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.
Louise Haigh, who is the MP for Sheffield Heeley, warned that if local councils deem 20mph speed limits of LTNs necessary, then “that’s got my full backing”.
She said the Department for Transport wants to move away from the “culture wars” that alienated local authorities from the Government and instead offer “full support” to councils in England.
Haigh added: “Where we will absolutely differ, as I say, is this provocation of culture wars. It’s really, really difficult for local authorities when they’ve not got that air cover from Government.”
A Bradford Council spokesperson said: "Introducing a 20mph zone enhances road safety by reducing vehicle speeds, which significantly decreases the likelihood and severity of accidents.
"Studies have shown that for each 1mph reduction in average speed, there is a 6% reduction in accident rates.
"This lower speed limit also promotes sustainability by encouraging walking and cycling, which helps reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion.
"Implementing a 20mph zone supports broader goals of creating safer, more sustainable, and more liveable urban environments."
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Road speed changes would hope to improve air quality
GETTYOfficial council documents detailed how the 20mph limit would help avoid danger to persons or other traffic using the roads or any other roads.
It also would promote and improve the amenities of the area through which the roads run while helping to reduce air pollution, noise pollution and carbon emissions.
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