----- Original Message -----

From: Rod King

To: CTC-RTR Newsgroup ; gmcc-talk@yahoogroups.com ; living-streets@yahoogroups.com ; WCC-Talk

Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2006 6:51 AM

Subject: [CTC-RTR] Letter published in Warington Guardian

Hi

 

This letter was published in today's Warrington Guardian as a reply to a previous letter saying that 20 mph would not stop people speeding.

 

 

Best regards

 

Rod

 

 

 

 

To the Warrington Guardian......

 

 

Simply putting up 20mph signs will not stop speeding. We live in a democracy where the will of the majority co-exists with individual freedom and responsibility. Most members of the public understand the benefits of reducing motor vehicle speeds where people live, work and shop. They understand that our streets are better as pleasant places that do not strain to the sound and danger of cars passing close to pedestrians at speeds of 30mph and above. If you want to find out just how intimidating our villages are, then try standing next to a busy road and crouch down to a childs height.

 

Indeed, across Europe, 30 kph not 30 mph is the norm for towns and villages. Warrington Cycle Campaign and Living Streets have found that over 80% of the public wanted 20 mph on the road where they live, and were prepared to accept the same limit where others lived. That way their children can walk or ride to school without being concerned at motor vehicle speeds.

 

The vast majority of motorists actually do support speed cameras and speed control on our streets. Unfortunately the establishment is out of touch with this developing public awareness on not only safety, but also convenience, environmental and social justice grounds. That is why it is important that their is a proper public debate about the sharing of our roads. Towns such as Hull and Oxford have found huge benefits from reducing urban vehicle speeds. Other towns, such as Portsmouth, are following the European example and implementing 20mph as the default. This does not mean that you cannot have higher speeds where appropriate, but they become the considered exception rather than the norm.

 

When Hilden converted to 30 kph throughout its town in 1991 it preceded this with a wide public debate and followed it up with strict enforcement. These are the necessary and appropriate routes to social change in a democracy. In time it will come to towns across the whole of Britain as public attitude, climate change and the cost of oil combine to create a less car-centric society. Warrington has a choice of two options. It can either be a leader, taking advantage of successes in transport change which have been demonstrated in other towns and countries, or it can be brought screaming and kicking into the middle of the 21st century complaining that our we can't play with our toys any more. Let's face it, cheap fuel and the days of unrestricted travel will come to an end, maybe not for my generation but certainly for my grandchildren. As responsible citizens we have the responsibility to start changing our society for the good and 20 mph in our towns is an important milestone on that road.

 

Rod King

Warrington Cycle Campaign

Living Streets (Pedestrains Association)

 

 

 

 

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