Plans for 20mph speed limits in Wokingham have been blasted as ‘ill-conceived’.
Limits have recently gone down from 40mph to 30mph in Reading Road running from Wokingham and Winnersh, a main route into town.
But possible plans for the future to reduce town centre roads to 20mph have been blasted.
The case was made by councillor Dave Edmonds (Conservative, Spencers Wood & Swallowfield) in a question at a full meeting of Wokingham Borough Council.
He said: “The new executive member for active travel, transport and highways has been heavily involved in a local group called Watch Wokingham.
“They describe themselves as a ‘a community group, formed by volunteers to help make Wokingham a great walking and cycling Borough’.
“Their social media pages put forward the case for 20 mph speed limits in town centres.
“Can the executive member detail what plans will come in now he has control of the transport agenda in terms of introducing 20 mph speed limits or low traffic networks into Wokingham, or can he confirm he has now come to his senses and no longer endorses these ill-conceived plans?“
Watch Wokingham’s advocacy for 20mph speed limits can be found on its Facebook page.
Answering the question, cllr Adrian Betteridge (Liberal Democrats, Barkham & Arborfield) said: “Dave, thank you for your characteristically somewhat offensive question. It’s also good of you to publicise the work of the Watch group, which I was indeed involved with.
“The risk of death to a pedestrian is up to five times higher if struck by a vehicle at 30 mph compared to 20 mph. This fundamentally is why 20 mph limits are increasingly being introduced in areas with high volumes of vulnerable road users.
“I can do little better than thank and quote your colleague, cllr Pauline Jorgensen, in relation to a trial of 20 mph schemes during lockdown.
“The 20 mph speed limit on these roads around the town centre is to assist those walking and cycling around the area. It will particularly make it better for cyclists by reducing the speed of vehicles around them.”
Cllr Jorgensen (Conservative, Hillside) advocated for a six-month trial of 20mph speed limits in Wiltshire Road, Peach Street and Shute End that started in August 2020.
Cllr Betteridge continued: “At last year’s local elections, every party stood to make walking and cycling easier and safer in our borough.
“Your apparent opposition in principle to something with the potential to improve road safety does puzzle me.
“Our local transport plan, which I assume you read before voting on it in March, says very clearly that in support of the safer streets action, we will implement 20 mph speed limits where a need has been evidenced. That’s the council’s policy. I happen to agree with it.”
Cllr Edmonds accused the Liberal Democrat administration of ‘dither and delay’, as cllr Betteridge was unable to say exactly when proposals for 20mph speed limits will be scrutinised by councillors.
The exchange took place at the last full council meeting.
