Decision details

To approve the Speed Management Strategy for consultation purposes.

Consideration was given to a report on the draft Speed Management Strategy which outlined the approach the Council would take to managing speed on the highway network.

Members made the following comments:-

·         Essential to encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation;

·         Important that the consultation process asked the correct questions;

·         Focus should be on the consultation process and finding the correct speed limits appropriate for those roads, with proposals to introduce of blanket 20mph zones being avoided;

·         Necessary to have a balance between safety and being able to function as a society;

·         Concern that the document in its current format would not lead to the implementation of many 20mph zones;

·         Reducing speed limits would help to create a safer village environment;

·         Inclusion of the word ‘Engagement’ to the three E’s (Education, Enforcement and Engineering);

·         Parts of the speed management process were not mandatory and should be looked at through the consultation process;

·         Parts the report were too prescriptive;

·         An alternative to the three E’s was suggested which emphasised applying the principles of empower, enable and encourage to the way in which the Council works in partnership with Town and Parish Councils.

During the debate an amendment was proposed and seconded requesting the resolution of Council in relation to a Notice of Motion regarding 20’s Plenty in 2020 submitted on 16 December 2020 whereby Council resolved the following should be noted:-

(i)The principle of introducing 20mph speed restrictions where appropriate – not a blanket measure. This would be through the review of the Speed Management Strategy which is scheduled to take place in 2021 and the points raised, both for and against, during today’s debate be considered during this process;

(ii)Working with Cheshire police to help maintain compliance, once such arrangements are established.

RESOLVED

1.That the publication of the Strategy for an 8 week consultation process be approved.

2.That it be noted a report on the outcome of the consultation process alongside a report seeking approval of the adoption of an updated Speed Management Strategy would be presented to the Committee.

3.That the resolution of Council in relation to a Notice of Motion regarding 20’s Plenty in 2020 submitted on 16 December 2020 whereby Council resolved the following should be noted:-

(i)The principle of introducing 20mph speed restrictions where appropriate – not a blanket measure. This would be through the review of the Speed Management Strategy which is scheduled to take place in 2021 and the points raised, both for and against, during today’s debate be considered during this process;

(ii)Working with Cheshire police to help maintain compliance, once such arrangements are established.