Road safety is an important issue, and the Kirkstall Labour Councillors support the programmed introduction of 20mph zones in residential areas, after full consultation with the local residents. Research by the Department for Transport has shown that 20mph zones reduced average traffic speeds by 9 mph, annual accident frequency fell by 60%, the overall reduction in child accidents was 67%, and there was an overall reduction in accidents to cyclists of 29%.

A 20mph speed limit on its own is relatively ineffective, unless traffic speeds are already low, in which case it may be sufficient. 20mph zones have additional "traffic calming" measures (speed humps, chicanes and so forth) which reinforce the message and make it very difficult to drive at higher speeds.

Our first 20mph zone was in Burley, in area to the east of Kirkstall Road, to combat long-standing problems with rat-running during the morning and evening traffic peaks. It would be wrong to claim that the 20mph zone has completely solved this problem, but it has certainly reduced it. We continue to monitor the situation, and we are pressing for better enforcement and improvements to the layout where these can be achieved.

Abbeydales, Vesper Gates, Spens and Hawksworth Wood

Public consultation continues on major new proposals for a full 20mph zone on the Hawksworth Wood estate, with a 20mph speed limit for the Abbeydales, Spens and Vesper Gates. Click here to download a detailed map of the draft scheme (1.6MB) in PDF format, or refer to the low resolution plans below:

Please email your Kirkstall councillors with your comments on this scheme.

Last updated 29 November 2008 at 19:35. Back to the top