The UK’s first city-wide 20mph speed limit – in Portsmouth – has not brought about ‘any significant reduction in the number of accidents’, according to a report in the Telegraph.
The Telegraph report is based on analysis of the scheme carried out by the consultants Atkins on behalf of the DfT.
The analysis found that overall road casualties fell by 22% after the scheme was introduced, at a time when there was a nationwide fall in road casualties of 14%. Prior to the reduction in the limit, an average of 18.7 people per year were killed or seriously injured on the streets covered. After the reduction this rose to 19.9 per year.
Motorists’ average speeds reduced by 1.3mph, from 19.8mph to 18.5mph, as a result of the scheme, according to the report.
Paul Watters, head of public affairs at the AA, said: "By just whacking up signs everywhere you are not going to change things dramatically. We support targeted and tailored 20mph zones where they are really needed, not a blanket implementation across a whole city.”
A spokesman for the DfT said: "This report is one of several research documents available to help councils decide whether they want to put in place 20 mph zones or limits on their roads. It is up to local authorities to make these decisions using their knowledge of local roads and in consultation with local communities."
Click here to read the full Telegraph report.
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