Sheffield City Council has decided to implement two 20mph speed zones in residential areas to improve air quality and safety around schools.
This Wednesday, a proposal to implement 20mph limits in areas around Nether Green Junior School (Fulwood), and Angram Bank Primary School (High Green), was brought to the The Transportation, Regeneration and Climate Committee.
The committee unanimously voted in favour of both speed limits.
After the meeting, the chair of the committee Ben Miskell (pictured above) said: “We know that where we do have 20mph zones, children are much safer and air quality is improved.
“I think it’s a really good thing, and I’d like to bring out more 20mph zones in appropriate areas with the community’s consent.”
The recommendation to introduce the zones was brought to the committee by senior transport planner Lisa Blakemore.
Two public consultations were carried out in preparation for the proposals which gained 470 responses in total, 182 of which were objections.
Some objections to the schemes said the zones are too ‘blanket’ and broad, not focusing enough on the schools. Others were concerned about how the zones will be enforced.
Lisa Blakemore confirmed in the council meeting on Wednesday the police will not be enforcing these zones, and there will be 20mph signs but no speed cameras in place.
Lisa stated the scheme is primarily about changing people’s mindset when driving on residential roads.
She said: “It’s a feeling of safety, and a feeling that they know they should behave a particular way.”
Councillor Andrew Sangar, who said he has been pursuing a 20mph zone in Fulwood for many years, was delighted by the decision on Wednesday.
He said: “I am really pleased that we kept pushing and pushing and finally we had this consultation.
“Thank you to the people of Fulwood for being interested.”
Within the last decade, the council has now implemented 20mph zones in 34 different residential areas.
The decision to implement more of these zones goes alongside the council’s plan to invest £1m of funding from the Clean Air Zone to reduce air pollution around schools.
Within this plan, the committee are discussing the introduction of electric buses around Sheffield – read more about this on ShefNews here.