Government unveils speed limit plan

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The Government has announced new proposals which would allow local councils to introduce 20mph speed-limit zones.

In a move that will interest car insurance companies, the proposals will do away with the need for speed bumps and other measures to be including in traffic-calming schemes.

The "no-humps" plan was announced by Road Safety Minister Paul Clark.

The aim is to encourage local councils to introduce 20mph limits into residential streets, and in areas where cycle and pedestrian traffic is high, such as around schools, shops and parks.

It follows on from a successful trial in which the number of casualties dropped by around 15%.

The Government also urged councils to consider reducing the limit on some A and B roads from 60mph to 50mph.

Mr Clark said: "We have seen that 20mph zones with traffic calming measures can make a real difference to the safety of local roads. But we've also looked at the latest research and listened to councils and residents who want to introduce 20mph limits on a series of roads where physical traffic calming measures aren't possible or practical."

A report by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine showed that the introduction of 20mph speed zones in London had reduced road injuries by more than 40% over the period 1986 to 2006.

Copyright © Press Association 2009

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