North Yorkshire’s largest-ever 20mph scheme gets go-ahead

Road safety campaigners have welcomed approval of the county’s largest ever 20mph scheme.

North Yorkshire Council is enacting plans to lower speed limits from 30mph to 20mph in the south and west of Harrogate.

This decision follows a petition presented to the council in June 2023 and a public consultation held in December last year.

The first phase of the project will see speeds reduced to 20mph on 190 roads in total.

Traffic calming measures could be introduced to lower speeds on additional roads in the area under a second phase of the project, which is subject to further consultation.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, Cllr Keane Duncan, said: “This is by far the largest 20mph scheme ever introduced by the council.

“It’s part of our dedicated and continuing effort to improve road safety, here in Harrogate and across North Yorkshire.

“While this project is significant in scale, and a landmark achievement for everyone involved, we have ensured that 20mph is appropriate for the nature of these roads.

“As well as speed surveys, we have also conducted extensive local consultation to ensure there is public support for our plan.

“We continue to be clear that taking a blanket approach to 20mph limits is wrong given the vast and diverse nature of North Yorkshire.

“We will always recognise the unique nature of different locations and continue to work with our communities to deliver positive improvements.”

The new 20mph limits are expected to be introduced over the next few months.

Welcoming the approval of the 20mph speed limits, Hazel Peacock, of the Oatlands and Pannal Ash Road Safety and Active Travel Group, said: “We are thrilled that North Yorkshire Council is to deliver this landmark 20mph scheme for Harrogate.

“This is testament to the community’s desire to improve road safety and create healthier and more pleasant environments to live, learn, work and play.

“We wholeheartedly thank all those involved – members of the community, schools, and local politicians who supported the campaign and the North Yorkshire Council team who have worked so hard to develop the scheme.

“We look forward to seeing the benefits it brings to Harrogate.”

The new scheme comes after North Yorkshire Council announced in February that speed limits outside every school in the county are being reviewed as the local authority takes "unprecedented" action to improve road safety.

The council is assessing more than 400 education sites across the county, including schools, nurseries, and colleges, starting with those where speed limits are the highest.

The authority has adopted a presumption in favour of lowering speed limits in these locations.

So far, lower speed limits have been introduced or recommended for introduction at 22 education sites including nurseries and colleges. A further 16 schemes are in the process of being consulted on, with lower speed limits expected to be introduced there.

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Aaron Kearney

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