Campaign for a new 20mph speed limit in Chichester receives a boost

The Chichester City Council threw its weight behind the campaign at its meeting last Wednesday (February 23) when it discussed a motion from Councillor Marueen Corfield’s to urge West Sussex County Council to reduce the speed limit across the city.

The proposal would see a 20mph default speed limit implemented throughout all roads in the city, with any exception ‘only after full consideration has been given to the needs of vulnerable users’.

During the discussion Councillor Corfield urged for the councillors to consider the motion due to concerns about pedestrian safety in Chichester and said that implementing the default would ‘make the area safer and the difference between the current 30mph speed limit and the new proposed 20mph limit as negligible.’

The motion was seconded by Cllr Sarah Quail who said that ‘statistically 100 per cent of people hit by cars at 40mph would die, 90 per cent for 30mph, but only 10 per cent for 20mph’.

Cllr Martyn Bell also agreed with the statement, but reiterated the need for the enforcement of the new speed limit rules and alluding that the speed limit on the M25 does not slow down traffic and help keep the motorway safe.

Cllr Sarah Sharp expressed concerns that the enforcement of the new limit would be hard to manage and would need the support of other county council’s and engagement with the residents to discuss the issue of road safety.

However the councillor fully supported the campaign citing Wales making 20mph the default and other county council’s successful implementation of the policy in places such as Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire.

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Speaking after the meeting Cllr Corfield said: “I am very pleased indeed to have put the case for this initiative and won the support of every member present at yesterday’s council,

“This is the first major milestone in my efforts to answer residents call for safer, healthier, more pleasant roads for all of Chichester’s road-users.

“We know how calmer traffic in urban settings give us multiple benefits and they do this with a negligible affect on journey times.

“City council support means I can now take this initiative forward, co-ordinate a plan and call for its implementation.

“There are more hurdles to come, but with the strength of this backing, I am confident we can make a good case at each of them.”

The campaign group is working on the proposal before it formally submitting it to West Sussex County Council.

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