MP Derek Thomas is backing the growing campaign to introduce 20mph speed limits in communities across West Cornwall and the rest of the county.
The nationwide 20’s Plenty For Us campaign advocates a default speed of 20mph on residential streets and in town and village centres and is attracting growing support in communities like Porthcurno, which has long grappled with the issue of up to 3,000 vehicles competing for the same space as pedestrians heading to the beach with surfboards and other beach equipment.
Mr Thomas believes that the forthcoming local election represents an opportunity for residents to raise the issue if they are keen to see a lower speed limit in their community.
“All the candidates who are putting themselves forward for election at May’s Cornwall Council elections are well aware that speed is a huge issue – and I would recommend that voters make it clear that they would like to see their elected representative at County Hall lobby the Council on their behalf,” he said.
“One of the main sticking points which has prevented moves to lower speed limits in towns and villages has been the way Cornwall Council policy has been framed which has meant that a lot of time and expense (up to 12 months and £15,000) must be spent to get new speed limits in place.
“I am glad to see that this policy is being reviewed as there is flexibility in the national guidelines – most of the UK’s major cities already have already adopted a 20mph speed limit on their residential streets and it need only cost around £5 a head to introduce the 20mph speed limit, a sum which would quickly be repaid in terms of the number of casualties, injuries and deaths averted.”
The 20s Plenty campaign holds regular virtual meetings and there is also a Cornwall-wide 20s Plenty Facebook page which shares information and answers queries; visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/471801700821604
