There are renewed calls for a pause in the rollout of 20mph zones in Wirral, following updated guidance from the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, this weekend.
In October 2023, Conservative Councillors called for a pause in the rollout of the plans, following concerns from residents and road users that a ‘blanket’ rollout could lead to less attention to known crash hotspots.
On Sunday, and following consultation by the Department for Transport, revised guidance was issued, stating local councils should only use 20mph limits in sensible and appropriate areas such as outside schools, and where safety and local support is at the heart of the decision.
Councillor Jeff Green, Leader of Wirral’s Conservative Councillors, said:
“We asked in October for a pause, to enable proper evaluation to see if the schemes so far were working. We also said there should be much better consultation with residents and road users. Sadly, Labour councillors voted then to block our proposal.
“However, following similar issues elsewhere in the country, I am delighted the Transport Secretary has now stepped in and that revised guidance has been issued to all councils.
“In light of this, it is now essential that Wirral Council does not, once again, find itself on the wrong side of the argument. I will be asking for an urgent report on the steps that Wirral must now take to follow this new guidance.
“In the meantime, I also repeat our call for the current rollout on residential roads to be paused and for resources to focus on known crash hotspots and around schools instead.”
Transport Secretary Mark Harper MP added:
“We want local people to have their voices heard, and any traffic schemes to have the consent of those they impact.
“Well thought out schemes, like 20mph limits outside schools, can make our roads safer, but we are raising the bar to help ensure all traffic schemes work for everyone in the community.
