Residents call for 20mph speed limit for city road

Residents on a busy Southampton Street say a 20mph speed limit will improve safety and their health

People living and working in a busy city centre street want a 20mph speed limit to be introduced.

They have started a petition for the changes to be made in Bernard Street, Southampton.

It says the road is "supposed to be a 30mph speed limit and not 60mph which is often the case".

Southampton City Council said there were plans for a 20mph speed limit in Bernard Street and were seeking funding to pay for it.

The e-petition was submitted on the local authority's website, with residents demanding the lower limit which has already been introduced in other areas across England.

New 20mph limits have been put into force across Oxfordshire, with plans being considered to extend them in some towns, such as Bicester.

The Bernard Street petition claims the city council has allowed part of the Old Town to become a busy inner city thoroughfare for all traffic.

"Over the years this has become so busy it is affecting the health and safety of all residents," it said.

"Although the area has been tidied up, the traffic situation remains a serious problem."

The petition also asks whether the road should be made one way

In recent years, 20mph speed limits have been introduced across Southampton, including in Bassett, St Denys, Old Redbridge, Shirley, Woolston and Weston.

These were in addition to the city centre and roads near to some schools.

Last year Southampton City Council confirmed it was considering reverting some of the 20mph roads in Shirley and Freemantle back to 30mph.

Eamonn Keogh, cabinet member for environment and transport, welcomed the Bernard Street petition.

"In August 2023, we consulted on a 20mph scheme for the City Centre which included a new 20mph limit for Bernard Street, from the junction with Threefield Lane to the existing 20mph limit nearby to Back of the Walls.

"We are currently seeking to secure funding to deliver this scheme."