Cornwall Live readers are unsurprised that new 20mph speed limit signs in a Cornish town have been defaced just days after their installation. The signs, located in the Pillmere estate in Saltash, were obscured with black spray paint overnight. Readers have been discussing the pros and cons of the new speed limits in our comments section.
The new 20mph signs have appeared in several residential areas over the past week. Cornwall Council is planning to implement the new speed limit on 700 roads across Cornwall that were previously 30mph. This follows a successful trial that has already seen changes implemented in Falmouth, Penryn, and Camelford, leading to a reduction in motorists' speeds.
The council is expected to spend up to £4m on the scheme and is forecasting the lower limit will cut deaths and serious injuries on the road by half by 2030.
Another reason for introducing the new scheme was the hope that the 20mph limits will make Cornwall's roads safer for pedestrians, as well as encourage more people to walk and cycle, which would bring environmental benefits.
Commenter Triggerandhisdoggo says: “We know all about council consultations. They ask a question like ‘do you want to see improvement in road safety?’, and when a few people answer affirmatively, they say ‘aha, let’s have a 20 limit’.”
Stormageddon is not a fan of the new speed limits: “It cost the Welsh govt £34,000,000 to do this in Wales. No one wants them, there is no enforcement and if you stick to 20 mph the cars behind overtake you and flash their lights. How much will CC spend putting them in and then taking them out again? Why don't councils learn from the experience of others? This is going to massively affect the bus timetables making less frequent and longer services. The really scary bit is that the majority of roads will be reduced to 20mph - why?”
Bobster1256 agrees: “Before you know where we are we'll have people walking in front of cars waving red flags like a hundred years ago.”
S1973 believes: “20 is a bit slow, 30 requires constant speedo watching, I don't like them but speed bumps etc do work.” Don O’Treply disagrees: “Try getting driven into at 20 and see how slow it feels!”
Padg thinks: “I don't agree with the so-called survey as regards the speed limit. It's not the speed that kills it's the person driving the vehicle. They should drive whilst paying attention to their surroundings and the pedestrians should be sensible. We are heading into a way of life where we don't have to think.”
EggSlam disagrees: “No, speed kills. Wise up please.”
Mick6161 replies: “Speed doesn't kill, unwise/careless use of speed does though, and that's squarely on the driver.”
Nonwoke2 says: “The faster you go, the further it takes before you brake and stop. The faster you hit someone or something the more it hurts. Vision Zero SW is a sensible start. As far as safety and financial benefits check out ROSPA, BRAKE, Gov.uk/Wales. An open mind is always helpful. The ill-informed people who espouse such negatives as journey times and erroneous financial and casualty figures, are mainly and often proven wrong. People who deface anything in our communities, sadly let themselves and their opinions down badly.”
Kevr says: “How far are the minority going to drag us back towards the stone age? Cars with all their technology should be allowing us to go faster, not slower!”
Mick6161 disagrees: “A driver shouldn't be relying on technology to allow them to go faster, the driver should be the one in control at all times and the tech should only take over when absolutely required, like with ABS during an emergency stop. Too many people think all the tech in modern cars means they won't crash, or will keep them safe if they do. The safer a driver feels, the more risks they take and the more carelessly they drive, without even knowing it.”
How do you feel about the 20 mph speed limit? Will the scheme improve safety and benefit the environment? Have your say in our comments section.
