Issue - meetings

To consider any Notices of Motion that have been received in accordance with paragraph 1.34 of the Council Procedure Rules

Consideration was given to the following Notices of Motion, which had been submitted in accordance with paragraph 1.34 of the Council Procedure Rules:

1.    20’s PLENTY IN 2020

Proposed by Councillor S Akers Smith and seconded by Councillor J Barber

Cheshire East is a caring council, where the needs of residents come first. 20mph speed limits improve quality of life, helping to create places where walking, cycling, conversations and playing are prioritised over vehicle traffic.

20mph speed limits are supported by many bodies including the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health, Alzheimer's Society, Cycling UK, World Health Organisation, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Transition Towns and cities, towns and parish councils and community groups.

30mph speed limit was created in 1934 and has never been reviewed, despite a significant increase in number of vehicles from 1.5 million to 40 million. The speed and weight of vehicles kills 5 people every day in the UK, which prevents people from feeling safe walking and cycling.

Reducing the default speed limit to 20mph on most urban and residential roads except where it is safe and compatible with community needs for it to be 30mph, will encourage parents to allow their children to walk and cycle to school, creates safety for those using mobility aids and the partially sighted and will help many people feel safer cycling on the roads because lower speeds make the environment feel safer.  This change will also reduce congestion, improve air quality and improve the fitness of the borough’s residents, as well as improve the economies of town centres by making them nicer places for people to want to spend time in.

In 2019 Cheshire East Council committed to fight climate change and implementing a default 20mph speed limit in areas where there is a mix of vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists will help us achieve this.  I urge councillors to make a real change to their communities and vote in support of this much needed Motion and join 21million other people in this country who have adopted the same policy, a default 20mph in central, urban and residential areas across the borough, unless where it is safe and compatible with community needs for it to be 30mph.

The Motion for “20’s Plenty in 2020” asks Council to resolve to lend its support to:

1.         The principle of introducing a default 20mph speed limit in central, urban and residential roads (these to be formally agreed in line with the law and the Council’s decision-making arrangements) - not a blanket measure.

2.         Consideration of the practicalities and timescales of introducing such a scheme in consultation with the Director of Highways and Infrastructure, and the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste, with formal consideration by the appropriate decision-making body/bodies, as early as possible in 2021.

3.         Working with Cheshire police to help maintain compliance, once such arrangements are established.

4.         Working with town and parish councils and the community, collaboratively and financially, to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32