20mph speed limit decision made for two Derbyshire towns

Two Derbyshire towns won't get blanket 20mph speed limits, following a decision made today (Thursday, December 7) by Derbyshire County Council. Public consultations were held earlier this year about possible blanket 20mph speed limits for Buxton and Long Eaton[1]. The council also asked for views from other organisations, including Derbyshire police.

Derbyshire County Council's cabinet member for highways assets and transport, Councillor Charlotte Cupit, said: "After a debate at our cabinet meeting, and listening to what the local communities have told us, it was decided not to go ahead with these blanket 20mph speed limits.[2] POLL: What is the best car garage in Derbyshire?[3] "We took on board the views of the public and Derbyshire police.

The results for Long Eaton were very clear, with many more people not wanting the 20mph speed limits. In Buxton, opinion was very much split down the middle for those who responded to our survey, but many more people disagreed who responded to the consultation run by Robert Largan MP.[4][5] "We very much needed large numbers of people who live and work in either town to be supportive to this idea, and it was clear that this was not the case.

In the future we will consider speed limit changes in our towns or villages in line with our policies and data, but we won't be moving forward with any plans to change the speed limits in Buxton or Long Eaton." In Buxton[6] a total of 205 responses were received in response to the consultation, with 104 in favour and 100 against (one response was blank). The local MP, Robert Largan, also carried out his own consultation into the proposals, with 70 people agreeing with them and 201 disagreeing.

In Long Eaton, a total of 306 responses were received, with 63 in favour and 184 against, and 59 blank responses were received. Erewash MP Maggie Throup welcomed the news that the proposal in Long Eaton had been rejected as she had opposed it also. She said: "It is clear that these proposals were extremely unpopular and would have had a detrimental impact on Long Eaton businesses and residents.

"I'm grateful to everyone in Long Eaton and Erewash who took part in the consultation.

This is a resounding victory for Long Eaton residents."

References

1. ^ Long Eaton (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
2. ^ 20mph speed limits. (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
3. ^ What is the best car garage in Derbyshire? (xd.wayin.com)
4. ^ 20mph speed limits (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
5. ^ Robert Largan MP. (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
6. ^ Buxton (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)