Further roll out of 20mph zones continues across Leeds

Lower speed limits are set to be introduced in more residential areas across Leeds as part of a city-wide programme to reduce road casualties.

The latest phase of Leeds City Council’s 20 miles per hour (mph) speed limit programme will be rolled out from autumn 2018 and will see reduced speed limits introduced in more residential areas where they are not already in place.

Existing 20 mph speed limits and zones have already seen significant improvements in road safety in many of the city’s residential areas, with up to 50% drop in road injuries.

The new 20mph zones also aim to make walking and cycling more attractive options, leading to less traffic congestion, better health, less noise, more social interaction and stronger communities.

The programme will see 20 mph road markings and large traffic signs installed at the junctions where the speed limit changes.

Smaller ‘20’ repeater signs will be placed at regular intervals on either side of the road throughout the area of the 20mph limit.

Information sessions will be held in community hubs located in the affected areas, and leaflet distribution will take place where 20mph zones will be implemented.

A support package for local schools will also be delivered by the Influencing Travel Behaviour team. In addition, larger scale publicity, such as radio and bus back advertising will be used to help with the transition.

Work on the schemes will begin in autumn 2018 to allow the early completion of the ongoing 20mph programme within the 2018/19 financial year.

Cllr Richard Lewis, Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning said:

“Leeds City Council has a long-standing ambition to improve safety and quality of life on residential streets within Leeds, and the completion of this program will help to meet this goal.

“There is strong evidence to suggest that by reducing traffic speeds within residential areas, people will feel safer and more confident on their local streets. This is particularly important for our most vulnerable residents, such as children, the elderly and those with disabilities, enabling them to travel more independently in their local communities.”

“One of our key targets within Leeds is also to improve air quality. Encouraging walking and cycling instead of driving for short journeys, as well as adopting a smoother driving style and lower speeds will help contribute towards this”.

Notes to editors:

The number of people Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) in Leeds fell from 495 in 2000, to 294 in 2013 (40%). Since 2013 the figures have plateaued slightly although the trend is positive again with 324 KSI’s in 2017. However, in order to make substantive further reductions it was decided that there needed to be measures put in place that can continue to improve the safety of the highway network in Leeds.

‘Be a two zero hero’ tag line will be the focus of a promotional campaign throughout this campaign.

A copy of the Executive Board report can be found at http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?AIId=65943

More details can be found on the website www.leeds.gov.uk/tcs