Many of the shire counties have been behind the urban authorities in implementing 20mph limits. This blog explores some of the statements made by councils in explaining their reluctance to implement and how most of them use a false interpretation of current government guidance.

Elected representatives must prioritise which policy ideas to action first based on factors like maximising the benefits, how easy policies are to deliver, achieving cross-party consensus, manifesto promises and responding to community asks. 20mph limits tick all the boxes since they benefit all age groups, genders and rich and poor alike. 20mph limits are a proven, affordable, popular and ‘can-do’ policy.

In its latest guidance the DfT is very supportive of 20mph limits, yet some shire county 20mph policies do not reflect this.

Door stepping is key to canvassing local opinion. Election candidates and resident’s associations are recommended to ask if wide-area, default 20mph limits are popular. 20mph is an affordable pledge that all ages can support. It’s a deliverable promise for a better community.

An extensive list of Council Scrutiny Committee reports have concluded 20’s Plenty Where People Live.  Enough sources cite 20mph as a “Best Value Policy”. Implementing road danger reduction need not be delayed by duplicating further scrutiny.