Colchester City Council Approves Proposal for 20mph Speed Limit on Many Roads

Colchester City Council has voted in favor of a proposal to decrease the speed limit to 20mph (32km/h) on numerous city roads, a move described as a “no brainer.” The council’s decision, made at a meeting on Thursday, will impact streets “where people live, work, play or learn.” The city authority will now formally communicate with Essex County Council, the body responsible for road-related decisions, to request their consideration of the change. Local taxi driver Peyman Oyarhossein stated he was “totally opposed” to the initiative, citing concerns about increased pollution. The initial concept for a default 20mph speed limit across the city was introduced by Colchester’s Labour group, with support from the Greens. However, an amendment proposed by the Conservatives, which grants residents more input on which specific roads would be affected, ultimately received approval. Tory councillor Roger Buston remarked, “There are areas of our city where I certainly agree that 20 is plenty… especially around schools.” Mark Cory, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat-led council, suggested that the changes would “not necessarily” lead to an increase in traffic. He informed the BBC: “If we can reduce speeds, we encourage people to cycle more on safer roads. We want to introduce more cycle lanes that are separate to roads and do not disrupt traffic.” Before the meeting, members of the 20’s Plenty campaign, which established a group in Colchester in October, organized a rally outside Colchester Town Hall. The group’s formation followed the death of 13-year-old Taylen Ireton, who was hit by a car on Mersea Road in the city in September. Campaigner Jean Quinn addressed the council, expressing pride in the UK’s road safety record and asserting that lowering speed limits was the next logical step. Labour councillor Dave Harris, whose ward includes Mersea Road, commented that too many individuals had been killed by speeding drivers. He told the BBC, “I’m worried about all the local estates, especially the larger ones where it’s so easy to put your foot down without realising what you’re doing.” Mike Lilley, who represents Rowhedge, where the speed limit has already been reduced to 20mph, affirmed that the change had made the village safer. The Labour councillor told his colleagues, “It works. It’s enforceable. It’s a no brainer.”