Opportunity to comment on proposed 20mph schemes

I am a Loders Parish councillor and strongly believe the process for introducing 20mph speed limit is far too burdensome both bureaucratically and financially. There is strong evidence that, if Dorset Council introduced a blanket 20mph speed limit on ALL 'C' roads and urban roads, it would;

*   be cheaper and quicker to introduce,

*   reduce signage and confusion for everyone,

*   be safer for more vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists,

*   be more relaxing for drivers,

*   reduce fuel and other maintenance costs such as insurance.

I fully agree with the lowering of the speed limit to 20mph.  As a walker I cannot safely proceed on the road with the existing speeds.    None of the rural villages have the benefit of a police presence and many villages are without street lighting.  Many car drivers and agricultural vehicles know they can breach the rules with almost impunity so any reduction however small should increase safety of walkers, riders and cyclists.

Sadly there will always be those that will ignore the limits but hopefully this will help.   The Council should also have an awareness program as many drivers are unaware of the new highway code and still believe they have full right of way on a country road where walkers don't have the luxury of a safe footpath.

I am a motorist. I thoroughly approve of 20 mph zones where there are obviously pedestrians and so would like to see these zones in Swanage: institute Road, station Road and high street up to court hill. But I can't see the purpose of 30 mph in Harmans Cross where pedestrians are as rare as the dartford warbler.

I don't believe Cheselbourne needs a 20mph limit. 30mph is safe and the notion that posting a 20mph will stop those that would exceed the limit anyway only inconveniences the majority of law-abiding drivers. There are better ways of addressing the issue of drivers exceeding the limit. 

I totally disagree with wasting council-tax payer's money on such schemes. It would be far better spent separating or making it safer for pedestrians, walkers and cyclists (like myself) rather than imposing a speed limit that frustrate motorists, emergency services, public transport operators, and then either ignored or have to enforced/policed - thereby incurring yet more expense.

I certainly agree with the 20mph limit by schools and through Blandford but not a blanket limit on all country roads.

I strongly believe that 20mph speed limits in residential areas and where roads are shared with high numbers of pedestrians and cyclists etc. would help to save lives,  reduce pollution, road repairs and global warming. However, the way that such schemes are requested, reviewed and implemented currently appears to be far too burdensome both bureaucratically and financially. There is strong evidence that, if Dorset Council introduced a blanket 20mph speed limit on ALL 'C' roads and urban roads, it would:

*   be cheaper and quicker to introduce;

*   reduce signage and confusion for everyone;

*   be safer overall for more vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and mobility scooters;

*   be more relaxing for drivers;

*   reduce fuel and other maintenance costs such as insurance and wear and tear,

* Simpler to police particularly if introduced with moveable speed check signs regularly installed at strategic points. In my experience they seem to be the only checks that keep the majority of us driving at the correct speed.

I use Allenview road to walk into Wimborne town centre every day and imposing a 20 mph speed limit on this road and Burts Hill is ridiculous. It's using a hammer to crack a nut. Having returned recently from Texas they have a much better idea. When the schools are active, between the times of 8.00am and 9.00am and 15.00pm and 16.00pm, a 20 mph limit is imposed. At other times it reverts to 30 mph. I am aposed to a blanket 20 mph to please a small minority of walkers and possibly cyclists.

All in favour of these 20mph speed limits in built-up areas for increased safety. If you're in a hurry leave earlier!

The proposed new 20mph limit in Wimborne is totally unnecessary. The roads have good visibility and the changes to layout by the entrance to the new Wimborne First School have already  calmed the traffic at that junction.

Residents are invited to give their comments on new 20mph schemes after Dorset Council approved applications from five town and parish councils.

I FULLY SUPPORT THE 20 mph schemes for 

Cheselbourne

Child Okeford

Okeford Fitzpaine

Winterborne Kingston

Wimborne – Allenview Road and Burt's Hill

The proposed new 20mph limit in Wimborne is totally unnecessary. The roads affected have good visibility and the new layout by Wimborne First school has calmed the traffic  at that junction.

Putting in restrictions where they are not needed just undermines the credibility of the whole scheme.

Unnecessary legislation----Education the answer---Strongly object

20mph is just an arbitrary round number. Cruise control is a safe way to drive yet my vehicle's cruise control kicks in at 21mph so I can't use it at 20mph. There are plenty of 30mph roads I drive at slower speeds because a good driver considers the conditions eg double parking and the ability of pedestrians to believe they are immortal. Those that drive recklessly will always do so and lowering the speed limit will have no affect on them. Leave suburban roads as they are and educate the pedestrian.

For me the 20 mph speed limit on a few roads is a minor inconvenience and hardly matters when the potential safety benefits are taken into account so I would agree with these proposals.

To the Councillor's point about the laborious process I would add that I would not have felt the same about a blanket 20 mph limit being imposed on most residential roads which I see as unenforceable. Therefore I think that choosing selected roads where the benefit is felt most is the right way to implement it. 

I live in Castle Lane where there is a 30 mph speed limit, but cars frequently pass my gate at 60 mph! I would welcome the limit reduced to 20 mph. But how can it be enforced?

I live in Horton and strongly believe that a 20mph limit is needed on C class roads in all Dorset rural villages.  Residents, walkers and cyclists would benefit the speed 20mph limit which would reduce accidents, roads repairs and air pollution.