Campaigners welcome council's speed reduction promises (From The Northern Echo)

Campaigners welcome council's speed reduction promises

5:23pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Darlington

COUNCILLORS have praised a speed reduction campaign for its work to improve child safety, despite agreeing that its aim to introduce a 20mph speed limit across Darlington is impractical.

Members of Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet agreed that speed reduction around the town remains a priority but said it is better to look at areas that might benefit from a lower speed limit on a case by case basis.

Matthew Snedker, co-ordinator of the 20’s Plenty campaign, said the decision was a step in the right direction and has pledged to work with councillors to improve road safety around the borough.

Councillor Dot Long, who led a scrutiny investigation into speed management in the town, told the cabinet: “It became obvious that the council’s policy works very closely with the 20’s Plenty campaign.

“A total 20mph speed limit across residential areas of the town is what they were hoping for but it was possible to come to an agreement where we will look at introducing lower speed limits eventually to different residential areas.

“Reducing speed is as much about attitudes as it is about changes to highways.”

Mr Snedker said: “This is a very good step and it is not the end of it. We are going to work with the council to move this further on.

“We had great support from councillors across the borough who want to see their roads made safer, quieter and cleaner.”