A full review of speed limit and transport policies on the Isle of Wight including the introduction of more 20mph areas is being recommended.
Police, however, say the enforcement of 20mph speed restrictions has a very low priority status due to a lack of resources and higher policing priorities.
The Isle of Wight Council’s speed limit policy group was set up to look at the existing 20mph policy and explore ways vehicle speeds can be managed, with enforcement and education, for the benefit of people’s health.
The group, which includes councillors, representatives from the 20’s Plenty for Us campaign and officials, met last month (December) and to consider whether 20mph zones would be effective.
Some areas already have 20mph zones, particularly around schools, urban shopping and residential areas.
In a report going to the council’s policy and scrutiny committee for neighbourhoods and regeneration, members of 20’s Plenty for Us said people have differing perspectives of speed and lower speeds can assist with a feeling of wellbeing in the community but the needs of all vulnerable road users should be taken into account.
Mainly 20mph speed limits and zones are self-enforcing with the support of police but some have minimal effect on vehicle speeds.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police road traffic management advised the group due to resources, higher policing priorities and no evidence to suggest 20mph speed limits reduce casualty rates, has meant enforcement of such zones has a very low priority.
On the Island, there is only 1 speed camera van and the traffic policing team has merged with the armed response unit so the capability for enforcement is low.
A police representative said a case has been made nationally to the government for a separate road policing force.
Police also gave the example of the speed limit reduction in Apse Heath, despite its objections, and the subsequent increase of accidents in that area.
The group recommend funding be made available in the upcoming budget for the speed limit review to be completed.
The group also recommended looking at how other local authorities had introduced 20mph areas.
Final recommendations by the group will be presented to the council’s policy and scrutiny committee for neighbourhoods and regeneration on Thursday (7th January).
We don’t need lower speed limits, we need to enforce the current speed limits.
The inclusion of ’20’s plenty’ representatives but no mention of any other groups such as local delivery providers make this a partisan pressure group and definitely not the IWC’s ‘independent’ speed limit policy group as claimed.
All councillors concerned need to have heir involvement investigated.
Problem with lowering speed limits is that it lowers the capacity of the roads so making traffic heavier. I agree some of the roads that pass through the housing estates should be 20mph. But they need to be enforced. Had an idiot in a BMW 4×4 in the new 30 zone outside near the covid testing center overtake me in the face of oncoming traffic.
Let me guess your 90 and shouldn’t really be driving ???
Actually a 20mph speed limit will increase the capacity of the road. This shown by the fact that average speeds in many cities and towns is around 15mph, much the same when motorised transport came in.
In a severely congested area like Newport the speed limit makes little difference, it’s the stop-start (or, rather, the continual stopping for lights, crossings, junctions etc).
Now, were we to do away with light-controlled junctions and put in plain ol’ roundabouts…
More 20mph speed limits is ridiculous!!! Ok the old bidders will accept it but what about people who need to work and deliver items etc ????
it would be quicker to walk to work soon..
They will be suggesting next that vehicles should have a man with a red flag walk in front to warn pedestrians of the danger.
Another case of a waste by this council
most won’t be taking any notice of this pedestrian driving pace
I can’t help but wonder if this is an attempt to condition people to driving slowly, once the Island is filled with another 100,000 people, no one will be going anywhere fast.
Sooner or later they will ban anyone having a private car if they had their way
That is EXACTLY what is happening in this country. The elite don’t want an every growing amount of cars making their progress a chore, so they WILL price most off the roads by using pollution as the ‘excuse’ forcing all into electric cars which many won’t be able to afford.
Then the rich can have emptier roads to drive on without the plebs congesting streets, towns and cites. It will also ‘solve’ the issue of where are all the chargers going to be fitted, as most rich have off street parking and can easily charge their cars.
The poor’s mode of transport will be electric driverless cabs, they NEED 5g up and running to make this foolproof first, but it IS coming. I know. Watch and learn.
Wow! Someone with free thought, well done. You are nearly correct with that statement. Really you might say? Check out the great reset, not a conspiracy, Prince Charles endorsed this! Their motto ” by 2030 you will own nothing but be happy” get ready people lol.
Could make it 2mph, but only effective if people ALL stick to such, but they never will as punishment trivial and the chance of getting caught minimal.
Only the elderly who still ‘fear’ the Police will abide by such in any great numbers, the rest of people with less time on their hands will take their chances.
Speak for yourself. I stick to 20 limits because it’s the law. It makes me laugh when I catch up to the overtakers at the lights. Well, apart from the BMW who decided to jump the lights the other day, the video footage is going to the police.