Thousands of drivers to be impacted by local council decision to roll out 20mph limits
20mph limits were decided by the council to help improve air quality
PA
A major city will roll out 20mph limits on several residential streets affecting thousands of drivers in a bid to improve air quality.
Leicester City Council revealed it will reduce speed limits around the Evington Valley area, home to over 17,000 Britons.
The changes were announced at a recent council meeting and are expected to cost £110,000. It being funded from the Transport Improvement Works budget in the Council’s capital programme.
The roll out of more 20mph limit streets forms part of the council's plan to have at least 80 per cent streets with lower speeds.
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Motorists can be fined £100 for driving faster than 20mph
PABefore the speed limits were introduced the council held a consultation with residents about the proposed changes.
Roughly 777 letters, plans and response forms were delivered to all properties within the proposed 20mph Zone for the Evington Valley area.
Out of these 150 replies that were received, 98 (65 per cent) were in favour of the 20mph speed limit while 47 (31 per cent) were against it.
Official documents detailed: “The Council as highways authority has powers to implement speed limit orders on the roads, in accordance with the provisions of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and associated regulations.”
It added: “The procedure and the statutory consultation requirements to be followed by the Council in making such an order are contained in The Local Authorises’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996. Officers may seek advice on this procedure if required."
The local authority hopes the reduced speed limits will help improve air quality within the city and result in lower emissions.
The council stated that 20mph zones will be seen as a “strategic priority” to meet its target of doubling every day cycling numbers by 2024.
“If 20mph zones and traffic calming in the city are successful in reducing congestion and improving road safety, this may have a positive impact on people’s travel choices, leading to substantial numbers of current car trips changing to cycling and walking trips,” the council stated.
Drivers caught breaking the speed limit in the city could see themselves slapped with a hefty fine.
The minimum penalty for speeding in the UK is a £100 fine and three penalty points added to a licence.
But drivers can be disqualified from driving if they build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of three years.
Drivers can also be issued higher fines and get more penalty points if taken to court and it decides they are guilty of speeding.
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The proposed changes will affect 17,000 residents
LEICESTER CITY COUNCIL
UK law dictates: “The amount you’re fined depends on what the speed limit was and how much over it you were driving. It’s usually a percentage of your weekly income, up to a maximum of £1,000 (£2,500 if you were driving on a motorway).
"You could also be disqualified from driving or have your licence suspended. If you’re still within two years of passing your driving test, your driving licence will be revoked (withdrawn) if you build up six or more penalty points.”
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