DRIVERS could be forced to slow down in an effort to reduce the number of casualties on the roads of Manchester.
The council is considering a city-wide speed limit of 20mph on residential roads, excluding major routes, at a cost of up to £41million.
This has been popular with schools and parents, and has proved successful in reducing accidents in Manchester as well as in other towns and cities across the country
The measures would affect all C and U class roads, which make up more than four fifths of the city’s streets and cover over 1200km. Larger roads will be unaffected.
A council report presented to the Executive claims the new speed limit will ‘contribute to a reduction in the number of casualties’ on the roads and provide a ‘higher quality of life, stronger communities, and encouragement of healthier, greener travel such as by walking and cycling and boosting the green economy’.
Cllr Paul Andrews, Manchester City Council’s executive member for neighbourhood services, said: “We already have locations across the city where motorists are required to drive at 20 miles per hour, to protect children and other pedestrians as well as cyclists.
“This has been popular with schools and parents, and has proved successful in reducing accidents in Manchester as well as in other towns and cities across the country.
According to the report, in 2010 there were 1425 traffic accidents in Manchester, resulting in 1962 casualties. Of those people, 166 were killed or seriously injured. Just 2.4% of these serious casualties occurred in 20mph areas, despite them accounting for 16% of Manchester’s roads.
It also cites evidence that lower speed limits will encourage more people to walk or cycle, resulting in environmental and public health benefits.
But is this really the case?
While a 10% increase in walking and cycling was noted in Bristol, the council fails to recognise the potential impact of the Cycling City and Active Bristol projects in that respect.
The council will now conduct further analysis with a view to opening the matter up for public consultation in the future.
It must also decide whether to implement 20mph ‘limits’ or ‘zones’. A 20mph zone includes physical measures for slowing vehicles - such as speed bumps - and is the most effective traffic calming measure but costs significantly more as a result.
