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20's Plenty in Suffolk

Representatives from Bucklesham Parish Council attended the

‘20’s Plenty for Suffolk’ information event on 22nd June 2023.

Speed Camera SignThis national campaign aims to reduce the speed limit in rural, residential areas.

The 20’s Plenty Campaign Group requested that all Suffolk Parish Councils passed a motion to call on Suffolk County Council Highways to implement a 20mph speed limit on all roads where people and vehicles mix.

The arguments laid out by the 20’s Plenty Campaign Group were as follows:

 

Why 20?

  1. Safer: The UK’s Department for Transport estimates that a 1mph lower speed in built-up areas reduces road casualties by 6%. Successful 20mph schemes result in 30% fewer casualties.
  2. Cleaner (and quieter): 20mph reduces tail-pipe emissions by 25% compared with 30mph and is 50% quieter. 
  3. Healthier: 20mph helps to remove the blight of vehicle speed and builds inclusive communities where human activity, including walking, cycling and social interaction, takes first place.
  4. Popular: National and local surveys consistently find 70% support in residential streets; such support rises after 20mph limits are introduced.
  5. Accepted as normal by UK local authorities where 28m people live, including all of Wales - where 20mph will soon be the default speed on restricted roads - and soon throughout Scotland. 20mph is global best practice where people mix with motor traffic.
  6. Compliance: 20mph is as enforceable as any speed limit. Even with no additional police enforcement, speeds reduce by up to 6mph on faster roads.
  7. Affordable (and cost effective): Multiple economic, societal and environmental benefits at low cost. Entry signs plus repeaters remind drivers with no need for physical calming or additional enforcement.
  8. Little journey time impact: Congestion, junctions and crossings are the determining factors in built up areas and 20mph rarely affects journey times or bus timetables.

Bucklesham Parish Council have no jurisdiction over road speed limits and this is not something that we had the power to change ourselves. The purpose of passing a motion in support of the Campaign was simply to demonstrate to Suffolk Highways the strength of feeling within Bucklesham about the proposal.

Before Bucklesham Parish Council discussed the motion we held an information sharing event as we wanted to know how the residents of Bucklesham, felt about the Campaign and its aims. The Campaign was discussed the Parish Council meeting on 1st November 2023. 

In order for the Parish Council to gauge the views of the village, the Clerk had included details of the campaign in the Autumn edition of the Bucklesham Bugle, had sent out a Bugle Bulletin, and had organised an online survey to be completed by residents.

Cllr Brinkley expressed his disappointment with the very low response as the Speed Indicator Device on Main Road shows on average 10,000 vehicular movements a month through the village, but only 31 residents had engaged with the consultation.

The result of the consultation was as follows:

• 74% wished the Parish Council to pass the motion

• 23% were against the Parish Council passing the motion

• 3% were undecided

Therefore, Cllr Brinkley proposed that the Council pass the motion to support the ‘20’s Plenty for Suffolk’ campaign, and call on Suffolk County Council to implement a 20mph speed limit on Bucklesham’s inhabited lanes, and urge SCC to review their policy/criteria for speed limit change in order to enable change to happen more easily for communities. This was seconded by Cllr Bickers and all were in favour.

More information can be found at 20splenty.org

You can also access our very quick online survey at  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FNL6TK