Anger over 'revenue-generating' 20mph speed zone

Adrian Leisk said police sent detection teams to areas where residents have complained about people speeding

Devon and Cornwall Police says officers will enforce 20mph (32km/h) zones where there is evidence the speed limit is being regularly broken after complaints from some villagers.

The zones were trialled in Camelford, Falmouth and Penryn in 2022 and have since been rolled out across Cornwall.

One resident, who was caught driving 25mph (40km/h) in Carnon Downs, near Truro, said the scheme was "revenue-generating".

Cornwall Council, which sets the limits, said the lower speed limit was designed to improve both actual and perceived safety, and meant people felt more comfortable walking and cycling.

'Change behaviours'

Adrian Leisk, the head of VisionZero, said officers would be enforcing the speed limits where appropriate.

"It's important to say the police don't set the speed limits, the local authority does having consulted with residents," he said.

"What we're not doing is the day after these limits are introduced is walking in with enforcement.

"This is not about catching an infinite amount of drivers, it's about trying to change behaviours.

"We enable local communities to monitor speed, capture that data... if there's a problem with compliance then we've got dedicated detection teams."

Annie Hewitt was caught driving 25mph in a 20mph zone

Annie Hewitt, who works in a community store nearby Perranwell Station, said she attended an online speed awareness course after she was detected driving 25mph in Carnon Downs.

"A lot of people in the village think it's not about road safety but more about revenue-generating," she said.

"There have been some older people who've been caught, they're quite upset about it because they've had clean licences forever.

"I know of two who have decided to stop driving as a result."

'Slow down'

Councillor Martyn Alvey, who represents the area, took to Facebook when a picture of a speed camera van in Carnon Downs was posted in a neighbourhood group.

He posted: "To those who are moaning about the recent presence of the speed enforcement team in Carnon Downs and Bissoe.

"This has been arranged by me as a response to residents complaining to me and both Feock and Kea Parish Councils about speeding in both villages.

"Also, in Carnon Downs to dispel the myth that the 20mph limit isn't enforceable"

Speaking to the BBC, Alvey said: "The reason we've put 20mph zones in is to make the place better for pedestrian, for cyclists and for the people living there we ask is that you slow down and respect the wishes of the people in that village or town."

Gemma Hatcher said she was disappointed over the rollout of the 20mph zones

Gemma Hatcher, another resident who was caught speeding in Carnon Downs, complained about the enforcement.

"I was caught within a metre or so of the sign where the limit reduces from 30mph (48km/h) to 20mph," she said.

"There's no road calming measures... no flower baskets indicating you're entering a village.

"Cornwall Council decided to put in these 20mph zones and we were supposedly consulted on this three years ago, but quite frankly I wasn't aware."

Cornwall Council pledged to introduce more speed reduction areas.

It said: "Cornwall Council aims to reduce both death and serious injury by 50% on our roads by 2030, and 20mph limits will support this."