Proposed by Councillor Tom Harney

Seconded by Councillor Bob Wilkins

Council:

(1)  Notes its ongoing policy and strong commitment to road safety in Wirral through the introduction of 20 mph zones on all non-major roads in residential areas and in the vicinity of schools, funded as part of a four year programme in both the 2010/11 and 2011/12 Council Budget.

(2)  Notes that a similar commitment is being shown to road safety in other local authority areas, such as Liverpool, Warrington and Portsmouth, to reduce the number and severity of accidents by increasing the number of residential roads with a 20 mph speed limit.

(3)  Values the positive improvement in road safety and reduction in the frequency and numbers of people killed and seriously injured on Wirral’s roads that reducing the speed limits in residential areas brings.

(4)  Welcomes recent changes announced by Norman Baker MP to Department for Transport rules making it easier for councils to introduce changes to 20 mph speed limits.

(5)  Is concerned that, to date, none of the £1.1m available for this four year policy option in Wirral has yet been committed to reducing speed limits to 20 mph on non-major residential roads.

(6)  Therefore, instructs the Director of Technical Services, in consultation with residents, Area Forums and ward councillors to commence the programme of works necessary to implement 20mph speed limits on all non-major residential roads, setting out a prioritised timetable for completion of the scheme and starting with existing ‘Accidents Down 2 Zero’ areas, where appropriate.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2):

Proposed by Councillor Harry Smith

Seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan

Delete all after paragraph (4) and insert new paragraph (5)

(5)  Recognises the value of instigating a rolling programme setting up 20mph zones but believes that, in the current difficult budgetary climate where high numbers of priorities are competing for limited resources, it would be prudent to consider the speed and scale of this programme as part of the overall budget process before making any final financial commitments.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment was put and lost (28:36) (One abstention).

The motion was put and carried (36:28) (One abstention).

Resolved (36:28) (One abstention) –

Council:

(1)  Notes its ongoing policy and strong commitment to road safety in Wirral through the introduction of 20 mph zones on all non-major roads in residential areas and in the vicinity of schools, funded as part of a four year programme in both the 2010/11 and 2011/12 Council Budget.

(2)  Notes that a similar commitment is being shown to road safety in other local authority areas, such as Liverpool, Warrington and Portsmouth, to reduce the number and severity of accidents by increasing the number of residential roads with a 20 mph speed limit.

(3)  Values the positive improvement in road safety and reduction in the frequency and numbers of people killed and seriously injured on Wirral’s roads that reducing the speed limits in residential areas brings.

(4)  Welcomes recent changes announced by Norman Baker MP to Department for Transport rules making it easier for councils to introduce changes to 20 mph speed limits.

(5)  Is concerned that, to date, none of the £1.1m available for this four year policy option in Wirral has yet been committed to reducing speed limits to 20 mph on non-major residential roads.

(6)  Therefore, instructs the Director of Technical Services, in consultation with residents, Area Forums and ward councillors to commence the programme of works necessary to implement 20mph speed limits on all non-major residential roads, setting out a prioritised timetable for completion of the scheme and starting with existing ‘Accidents Down 2 Zero’ areas, where appropriate.