Fury in UK city as speed limit changes to 20mph | UK | News
Swindon reduces speed limit to 32km/h on some roads (Image: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)
A move to reduce the speed limit to 20 mph on a number of roads Swindon There was a difference of opinion in Wiltshire town. Some locals in Haydon Wick had called for cuts due to concerns drivers They were speeding through the north Swindon neighbourhood.
Local media are reporting that residents living on other roads in the area have reported that the 30 mph limit has been lowered in recent months. Speed limits are set to be reduced on 21 roads in the suburb after more than 100 people signed a petition calling for such a move.
READ MORE: Important message for anyone learning to drive or at risk of test cancellation
READ MORE: Labor gives councils ‘licence to print money’ with new parking ticket laws
Concerns have been raised about speeding in North Swindon. (Image: Getty)
A “positive” public consultation on the safety measure has led to the plan getting the thumbs up from the local council, according to the Swindon Advertiser.
Speed limits are also expected to be reduced to 20mph on other roads in Sevenhampton and Wichelstowe on the outskirts of Swindon.
Local authorities impose 20 mph speed limits across the country, a trend that has increased in recent years. Wales will introduce a default 20mph limit in 2023, while councils in London have also reduced speed limits on some roads.
The measures in Swindon divided opinion online; Some local Facebook users dismissed the outages as a money-making ploy, while others praised the security benefits.
Karen Symmonds posted on the platform: “Swindon Borough Council has gone mad.” Local Jakub Sroka replied: “No, they need money. Your money.”
Andy Benford said the current 30mph speed was “fine” and the problem was drivers going over the limit. He added: “Twenty miles an hour is ridiculous.”
Local resident Gail Collins said the discount wouldn’t help, adding: “It’s on Shaftesbury Avenue and some cars and motorbikes are racing down there at frightening speeds.”
Others also welcomed the change; one of them Swindon Advertiser The reader said: “Well done! Average speed cameras should also be installed.”
Wendy Tucker said: “It has made a huge difference to our area – hopefully it will help that too.”
Other citizens directed their criticism towards drivers who speed in the city and surrounding areas.
His comments come days after Swindon Police revealed 88 motorists were caught speeding on a local road in less than an hour on January 8.
A driver was caught going 58mph on a road subject to a 30mph limit, according to Swindon Police.
Police said 77 of those caught speeding would be given a speed awareness course; Nine of them will be fined and points added to their driving licence, while two will appear in court.
Road Safety Officer Sarah Holden said in a statement: “It is frankly shocking to see the speeds of some of these drivers in areas with a 30mph limit. The speed limit is there for a reason – to keep you and those around you safe.”
Police said officers outside St Luke’s School on Cricklade Road caught another driver going 54mph in a 30mph speed limit zone on December 29.
Swindon City Council has insisted its road safety strategy focuses on preventing deaths and serious injuries.
The local authority said 20 mph regulations could play an important role in road safety and drivers should probably comply with lower limits.
