Thursday 21 July 2016

Solihull Council won't press forward with more 20mph zones outside schools.

A WAR of words has erupted over a decision by Solihull Council to abandon plans for 20mph speed limits outside schools.
Councillor Ted Richards, cabinet member for transport and highways, has argued that pilot schemes had failed to slow down the speed of vehicles in the way the council had hoped.
He had been presented with evidence earlier this month about the effect of stricter limits at three sites, including Windy Arbor School, in Chelmsley Wood.
Having considered the report he agreed with the recommendation of council officials that the initiative would not be taken any further.
The decision has angered the Green Party, who have argued that a drop in both serious and minor road crashes at the sites was reason enough to persist, even though the speed of cars only fell slightly.
Coun Chris Williams (Green, Chelmsley Wood) said: "In other authorities they've taken a different approach to the pilots and done more than just put up some signs and they've seen much greater success."
Fellow Green councillor Max McLoughlin (Shirley South) said: "A child from a low-income area is five times more likely to be killed in a road traffic accident than a child from a more affluent area, but the only school from a low income area to be included in the trial (Windy Arbor) is located down a cul-de-sac."
Speaking at last week's Full Council, Coun Richards defended the approach that had been taken and the decision not to proceed any further.
"The decision which I took was based upon the fact there was a difference of about one or two miles per hour and with the resources that we've got I didn't think it was appropriate to spend more money."

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