Mr M Vye will propose and Mr T Prater will second:-
‘KCC receives an increasing number of requests for 20mph limits, reflecting the findings of a DfT survey which has consistently found 80% of the public and 75% of drivers support 20 mph speed limits on residential streets (1).
Local Authorities are able to use their powers to introduce 20 mph speed schemes in residential roads in cities, towns and villages (2).
This Council agrees that Kent County Council should act on these powers without further delay and gives its authority to allow Member Highway Funds to be used to fund the creation of new 20mph schemes (zones/limits) where there is community support and where streets are being used by pedestrians and cyclists.
Notes:
(1) Survey source – Department for Transport (DfT) ‘British Social Attitudes Survey: attitudes to transport', conducted annually over the last ten years.
(2) Particularly where this would be reasonable for the road environment, there is community support and where streets are being used by pedestrians and cyclists where business on foot is more important than delaying road traffic.’
Minutes:
(1) Mr M Vye proposed, Mr T Prater seconded the following Motion for Time Limited Debate:-
‘KCC receives an increasing number of requests for 20mph limits, reflecting the findings of a DfT survey which has consistently found 80% of the public and 75% of drivers support 20 mph speed limits on residential streets (1).
Local Authorities are able to use their powers to introduce 20 mph speed schemes in residential roads in cities, towns and villages (2).
This Council agrees that Kent County Council should act on these powers without further delay and gives its authority to allow Member Highway Funds to be used to fund the creation of new 20mph schemes (zones/limits) where there is community support and where streets are being used by pedestrians and cyclists.’
Notes:
(1) Survey source – Department for Transport (DfT) ‘British Social Attitudes Survey: attitudes to transport', conducted annually over the last ten years.
(2) Particularly where this would be reasonable for the road environment, there is community support and where streets are being used by pedestrians and cyclists where business on foot is more important than delaying road traffic.
(2) Mr Sweetland proposed, Mr Brazier seconded the following amendment to the original motion as set out in paragraph (1) above:
“Delete all of the original text and substitute the following:
‘KCC has one of the best road safety records of any local authority. In Kent, serious road casualty numbers continue to fall year on year. Over the last ten years KCC has supported over fifty 20mph schemes covering 791 roads in Kent.
This council agrees to continue our current policy of providing 20mph schemes on appropriate roads in residential areas as part of a Casualty Reduction programme until the current trial schemes in Maidstone have been evaluated and reviewed by Members.
Any new 20mph schemes will follow the normal process of consultation involving local communities and where the criteria for central funding are not met, the council agrees that schemes promoted by Members through their Member Highway Funds should be considered.’”
(3) The mover and seconder of the original motion, Mr Vye and Mr Prater, agreed Mr Sweetland’s amendment without the need for a vote and, therefore, the amendment outlined in paragraph (2) above became the substantive motion.
(4) After further discussion, Mr Christie moved, Mr Cowan seconded that the question of the substantive motion be put. There was no debate on this procedural motion and it was agreed. The Chairman then asked if Members agreed the substantive motion and it was agreed.
(5) RESOLVED that:
(a) the Council notes that ‘KCC has one of the best road safety records of any local authority. In Kent, serious road casualty numbers continue to fall year on year. Over the last ten years KCC has supported over fifty 20mph schemes covering 791 roads in Kent;
(b) the Council agrees to continue its current policy of providing 20mph schemes on appropriate roads in residential areas as part of a Casualty Reduction programme until the current trial schemes in Maidstone have been evaluated and reviewed by Members; and
(c) any new 20mph schemes follow the normal process of consultation involving local communities and, where the criteria for central funding are not met, schemes promoted by Members through their Member Highway Funds should be considered.