Don't impose 20mph zones on communities - PM

Rishi Sunak spoke at an event in Coventry

Rishi Sunak has said 20mph zones should not be “imposed” against the will of local residents.

The prime minister made the comments about low traffic neighbourhoods, sometimes known as LTNs, during a visit to Coventry on Monday.

A blanket zone affecting more than 40 roads is set to be rolled out in the suburb of Earlsdon.

Mr Sunak said councils would be given clear guidance to make sure residents were accounted for.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "When it comes to 20 mile an hour speed limits, you’ll have seen the announcements that we made yesterday making it clear that these should not be imposed in a top-down, blanket fashion against the will of local communities.

“That is the government’s very clear approach that we’ve made explicit to local authorities."

The Department for Transport said councils will have to get support from residents, businesses and emergency services for the schemes from this summer onwards.

They could see funding or control of the roads taken away if they “fail to deliver sensible road schemes that work for local people,” ministers added.

The Earlsdon scheme is one of two pilot projects the city council is rolling out with funding from Active Travel England and Sustrans.

As well as a blanket 20mph limit, the final scheme includes traffic calming, new crossings and filters on some roads.

In Earlsdon, some residents have been calling for speed restrictions for years.

Supporters say such zones save lives and cut pollution but critics say they are unnecessary.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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