New 20mph Zones rolled out
16th April 2008
Southampton Labour MPs John Denham and Alan Whitehead were yesterday joined by Hazel Blears MP, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, as they handed over 1000 survey forms from parents to City Council Leader June Bridle and Cabinet Member for Environment Richard Williams.
The surveys carried out by John Denham and Alan Whitehead asked parents if they wanted legally-enforceable (and not just advisory) 20 mph speed limits around schools. Over 1000 parents took the time to fill in the surveys and all but a handful said “Yes”.
Sixteen schools are scheduled to get enforceable 20 mph limits this year including St Monica’s Infant School in Sholing and Shirley Infant and Junior Schools.
Hazel Blears, who helped to spearhead Labour’s Respect Agenda, will also hear from Councillor June Bridle about the success of Sholing’s Section 30 Order in combatting antisocial behaviour and how new powers given to councils have helped to tackle unruly pubs.
Hazel Blears said: It's a great initiative they've taken. It's practical, it's realistic and it will make a real difference. It's not happening in many other places in the country but I think all eyes will be on Southampton to see how it works. You don't get 1000 people to reply demanding something these days unless it's a really important issue."
John Denham said “I think that these results confirm that road safety around schools is a real issue for parents and it is excellent to see the Council acting on their concerns.”
Alan Whitehead said: “I am glad that the new Council leadership has already put extra money into the budget to install legally-enforceable speed limits and I hope that this will continue in future years.”
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