The Committee will be addressed by Messrs M. Barr and P. Jones of 20's Plenty for Staffordshire regarding their proposal. A response will then be made by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport (report attached)

The Committee considered a report by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport regarding a review of 20 mph speed limits and Zones which had been undertaken in Staffordshire (schedule 2 to the signed minutes).

Cabinet had reviewed and agreed a new Speed Limit Policy for all A and B roads in the County in 2007 following publication of guidance by the Department for Transport (DfT). In addition, they had approved a phased introduction of 20 mph limits, outside schools, in 2010 which had resulted in a number of part-time 20 mph advisory limits being implemented. Since that time all speed limits in the County had been applied in accordance with the latest national guidance set out in DfT Circular 01/2013 entitled, “Setting Local Speed Limits”.

The County Council, as local Highway Authority, had a statutory duty under the Road Traffic Act 1988 to maintain the safety of the road network in their area. The Act required Highway Authorities to undertake studies into road collisions and implement appropriate measures aimed at reducing the likelihood of such incidents from re-occuring. Members heard that a 60% reduction in personal injury collisions had been achieved over the ten-year period 2009-2019 which represented the highest recorded reduction amongst 14 comparable Shire Counties. In addition, Staffordshire had the lowest Killed or Seriously Injured casualty rate in this group during 2019.

A comparison of the casualty statistics for 2010 and 2019 revealed that cyclist casualties had declined by 45% and pedestrians by 50%. In total, 83% of these collisions took place on roads which had speed limits of 30 mph and of the 228 accidents in 2019, speed had been identified as a contributory factor by the Police on only eight occasions.

The Committee were then addressed by Messrs M. Barr and P. Jones of the 20s Plenty for Staffordshire (20PS) campaign group (PowerPoint slides attached at Appendix 1 to the signed minutes) who had submitted a Staffordshire County Council Proposal for a Scrutiny Review Form dated 16 March 2021 (schedule 3 to the signed minutes) suggesting the following subject for scrutiny:-

“Normalise 20 mph speed limits in built-up areas and villages for safety, public health, sustainability, the climate and because its what residents want”.      

The representatives of 20PS provided evidence in support of their request including various statistics, photographs and by reference to practice in other Highway Authority areas, nationwide all of which suggested that the wide-spread implementation of 20 mph speed limits should be adopted in the County.

During the discussion which ensued Members gave preliminary scrutiny to the issues raised asking questions (of the Cabinet Member and representatives of 20PS) and seeking clarification where necessary. They noted Staffordshire’s good performance with regard to accident casualty statistics together with the significant costs associated with implementing additional 20 mph speed restrictions. Therefore, they respectfully declined the request to undertake further scrutiny and include a relevant item in their Work Programme, at this time.  

The Chairman then thanked the representatives of 20PS and Cabinet Member for their attendance at the meeting and contributions to consideration of the Proposal for Scrutiny Review Form, by the Committee.

RESOLVED – (a) That the report and Proposal for Scrutiny Review Form be received and noted.

(b) Not to undertake further scrutiny of the introduction of 20 mph limits/zones at this time but to keep the matter under review and consider undertaking further work at the appropriate time as necessary. 

RECOMMEND Cabinet – (a) That the introduction of additional 20 mph limits/zones within local neighbourhoods should continue as identified in the County Council’s Strategic Programme of Work and as local community priorities established through the Members’ Divisional Highways Programme.

(b)    That residents of Staffordshire be encouraged to engage with their local County Councillors on matters relating to excessive vehicle speeds and traffic calming with a view to seeking local resolution of issues for the benefit of the communities concerned.