Advocates for reduced speed limits urge 20mph zones throughout Dorset

Groups advocating for road speed reductions have requested the implementation of 20mph (32km/h) speed restrictions in urbanized zones throughout a specific county. Dorset Council is presently gathering public feedback regarding five new areas where these limits are proposed: Cheselbourne, Child Okeford, Okeford Fitzpaine, Winterborne Kingston, and Wimborne. Nevertheless, the 20’s Plenty campaign in Dorset has stated that the council’s current regulations are deterring communities without an established Speedwatch initiative from applying for these limits. The council, however, affirmed its commitment to evaluating every application received. Dilys Gartside, the co-ordinator for the 20’s Plenty campaign, noted that the introduction of similar speed limits in other locations had significantly decreased road fatalities and enhanced the general welfare of residents. She stated: “It’s about the needs of pedestrians and cyclists who would be using those roads who are being terrified out of the picture.” She added, “Traffic journey times improve because there is less braking and noise pollution halves.” Gartside further expressed, “I think Dorset should go for a presumption that in built-up areas, [it] should be 20.” Nonetheless, Ms Gartside indicated that the council’s existing policy regarding 20mph limits had deterred certain communities from submitting applications. This policy stipulates that applying communities must have operated a Speedwatch campaign within their locality for a minimum duration of one year. Speedwatch campaigners are volunteers dedicated to monitoring traffic activity within their respective neighborhoods. Ms Gartside expressed her hope that the policy would be “updated and brought into line with best practice.” In a formal statement, Dorset Council responded: “Our 20 mph policy requires an active Community Speed Watch team to be in place for at least 12 months.” The council further clarified, “However, we fully recognise that some clearly committed communities may face challenges in establishing a team, so this difficulty on its own would not prevent an application from being considered.” Dorset currently features multiple 20mph zones in locations such as Bridport, Weymouth, and Wimborne. The public consultation period for the five newly proposed areas is scheduled to conclude on 15 November. Individuals critical of the proposals, commenting on social media platforms, argued that the limits were expensive, challenging to enforce, and inconvenient for drivers. Conversely, proponents of 20mph zones asserted their benefits in terms of safety and consideration for others. In August, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh stated that the Labour government would delegate such decisions to local councils. This followed an earlier comment by Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who had characterized “blanket 20mph speed limits” as a “war on motorists.”