Make 20mph the default speed on our residential streets across Hastings and St Leonards where we live, work, shop, play and learn.
by Zelly Restorick
In St Leonards, Amanda Jobson – a newly elected Green Councillor for Gensing Ward – was listening to residents’ concerns last spring about speeding. Amanda says: “I’ve lived here for 15 years and have seen the rise in dangerous driving and unsafe residential roads. People who live in the area are very supportive of 20mph and have been signing our petition. They want to see a change of culture with 20mph being the default speed, making it safer to walk and cross roads here.
One resident said: “Since we have lived here I have witnessed 3 accidents on the junction. Yes, something has got to change”.
“All around these areas I’ve been listening to residents who are fed up with their streets being used as ‘rat runs’”, says Amanda. “They want liveable streets and want East Sussex County Council to take action now. If you share this concern, please sign the petition: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/20s-plenty
Currently ESCC supports 20mph limits but each intervention has to be made on a case by case basis, which makes for a slow and expensive process and leaves many areas still coping with speeding cars.
The petition states: “Residents across Hastings and St Leonards are fed up with living in fear of speeding vehicles! We want to feel safe in our own communities, whether we are outside our homes, walking and cycling in our neighbourhoods, or crossing the street.
“There have been many petitions and requests for lower speed limits to the county council but they have been ignored, even though we know that when implemented across wide areas, 20mph speed limits:
- reduce the number and severity of traffic collisions
- increase active travel and improve community well-being and quality of life
- lower air and noise pollution in urban and residential areas.”
The petition calls on East Sussex County Council to take a new approach to street safety that will:
- Make 20mph the default for residential areas – #20splenty
- Reduce speed limits where there are potential deaths and injuries, and not wait for people to die before taking action.
- Follow the government guidance on safe speed limits
- Take notice of residents’ views
PLEASE consider signing and sharing: 20s plenty
Find out more: 20s Plenty website.