Chester adopts pro-20mph limit policy

Cheshire West and Chester Council has approved the boroughwide implementation of signed-only 20mph speed limits on residential streets. 

The lower limit will be implemented on streets where the mean speed is below 24mph and around schools where the mean speed is below 30mph. 

To accelerate implementation, the council is abandoning its policy of writing to every household in an area where 20mph limits are proposed, and requiring support from at least 50% of households. Instead, the council will simply advertise the Traffic Regulation Order for schemes, giving residents the opportunity to comment or object. 

The council is allocating £200,000 a year over four years for implementation. 

“It is expected 20mph schemes will contribute to the reduction in injury collisions,” Maria Byrne, the council’s head of place operations, told councillors. “With slower traffic, people are more likely to spend time in their street and to allow their children to play outside, thereby increasing their physical activity.”