Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides an update on a revised approach for implementing 20mph speed limits across the borough.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment upon and note the report.

Officer contact: Jamie Birtles on 0161 474 4466 or email jamie.birtles@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on a revised approach for implementing 20mph speed limits across the borough.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services (Councillor Grace Baynham) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was clarified that the 20mph zone study took place in Reddish North.

·         It was reported that residents were not consulted as part of this study, although statistical data was used to consider the outcomes of the scheme. Larger schemes would include a consultation.

·         Members commented that there might be a benefit in speaking to residents in order to assess local perceptions related to safety and pollution.

·         Members welcomed this proposal and the opportunity it presented to make roads safer for residents.

·         The costs of creating a 20mph zone under this scheme would be in the hundreds or low thousands of pounds, compared to previous schemes which were thousands of pounds as a result of the costs of physical traffic calming measures.

·         It was reported that efforts were being made to secure Greater Manchester funding to create further road safety measures.

·         Members commented that the scheme created a useful framework for the threshold of creating 20mph zones.

·         The reduction in speed created by 20mph zones, with no traffic calming measures, was reported to be a few miles per hour with each incremental improvement resulting in a road safety benefit.

·         It was important not to over-saturate roads with 20mph zones as it could result in drivers disregarding the signs.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.