Councillors To Discuss Default 20mph Speed Limit In Hastings

Thursday, 16 May 2024 06:00

By Huw Oxburgh, Local Democracy Reporter

Calls for a ‘default’ 20mph speed limit in Hastings are set to go in front of a senior county councillor next week.

On Wednesday (May 22), Cllr Claire Dowling, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport and environment, is due to consider a petition calling for 20mph to become the ‘default’ speed limit on residential streets in Hastings and St Leonards.

While the final decision will lie with Cllr Dowling, officers are recommending the petition not be supported as such a scheme would neither be a ‘priority’ for the council nor ‘compliant with national guidance.’

In a report to Cllr Dowling, a county council officer said:

“The council has a finite amount of funding to develop local transport improvements and we need to ensure that we target our resources to those schemes which will be of greatest benefit to our local communities.

“A potential scheme to introduce a default 20mph speed limit for residential roads across Hastings and St Leonards has been assessed through our approved process and is not a priority for the council at the present time.

“A potential scheme to introduce a default 20mph speed limit for residential roads across Hastings and St Leonards would [also] not comply with the revised national guidance on setting local speed limits as it would be a blanket measure.”

In the report, officers also say such a speed limit would affect around 190 miles of road in Hastings and St Leonards, arguing many roads would require traffic calming measures to make the limit effective.

The petition, which gathered more than 1,400 signatures, had previously been submitted to the council in July last year, but was later withdrawn. It was resubmitted by Green Party councillor Julia Hilton (who is also leader of Hastings Borough Council) in February.

Among other things, the petition argues 20mph limits reduce the number and severity of traffic collisions, increases active travel and improves air quality.