Warwickshire councillors agree new 20mph zone for Southam

The reduction "should have the effect of slowing motorists down to assist turning traffic in and out of the side roads, preserve visibility and thus aid road safety", the council said

A 20mph (32km/h) speed limit is to be introduced in a Warwickshire town using funding from the HS2 rail project.

The county council approved the 10mph cut through Southam's main shopping area to improve road safety. 

It is one of 25 schemes being funded as part of mitigation measures for the HS2 project in the county with councillors putting it forward to the HS2 Board.

It will be implemented on Oxford Street through to Market Hill, and High Street into Coventry Street.

The new limit will also cover part of four side roads that feed into the main route - Park Lane, Daventry Street, Meadow Road and Welsh Road West. 

The change "should have the effect of slowing motorists down to assist turning traffic in and out of the side roads, preserve visibility and thus aid road safety", the council said.

The plans faced one objection from a resident who questioned how the lower limit could be enforced and said drivers who drive responsibly will continue to do so, but those that drive irresponsibly will continue with their bad habits regardless of any lower limit.

Council officer Mike McDonnell acknowledged the resident's view "may have merit" but argued that was "not sufficient grounds to change or vary the proposal".

The objection meant the final decision had to be signed off by the county's portfolio holder for transport and planning, councillor Jan Matecki, which was completed on Monday.

The move received support from Southam Town Council.

It wanted to see a wider rollout, but the extra routes suggested were not considered within the county council's response.

A tunnelling project for HS2 under ancient woodland near Southam started in December 2021 and finished in July 2022.

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