First 20mph schemes hit the streets

Earlier this year Bury Council launched “StreetSafe”, a new borough-wide strategy for improving road safety in residential streets and estates.

Eight months on, consultations have been carried out and seven new schemes are about to become operative on 17 October 2013. These are at: 

• Rudgwick Drive area, Bury;
• Holcombe Lee/Carrwood Hey area, Ramsbottom;
• Redvales Road area, Bury;
• Egerton Road area, Whitefield;
• Fir Street estate, Ramsbottom;
• Woodley Avenue area, Radcliffe;
• Hamilton Road area, Whitefield.

Works on other schemes in other areas of the borough are also already in progress and these will come into operation in the coming weeks. These are at: 

·  Chesham Road area, Bury;

·  Elton area, Bury;

·  Bolton Road/Turks Road estates, Radcliffe;

·  Bent Lane/Ostrich Lane, Prestwich.

Councillor Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for environment, said: “I am delighted to see 20mph schemes being introduced throughout the borough. In residential areas, driving over 20mph is simply too fast. By supporting our StreetSafe strategy residents will be helping to reduce vehicle speeds and the number and severity of accidents in the borough. 

“Speeding is dangerous and we want StreetSafe to make a big difference.  With your help we can reduce the possibility of parents and families losing a child.”

20mph zones and speed limits in residential areas aim to increase drivers’ awareness of the dangers and anti-social aspects of speeding in roads and streets where people live. This in turn helps to make neighbourhoods better places to live and encourages communities to get out more and lead healthier lives.

A list of 20mph schemes currently under consideration can be viewed at www.bury.gov.uk/streetsafe. Consultations on individual schemes are ongoing at www.bury.gov.uk/streetsafe-consultations.

ENDS

Press release issued: 14 October 2013.

Picture attached: Les Watts, principal engineer road safety, with Cllr Tony Isherwood, at the Egerton Road, Whitefield 20mph zone.