Town Council votes for ‘neutral stance’ on 20 MPH speed limit
At an extraordinary meeting on Monday evening, Thatcham Councillors voted to adopt a ‘neutral stance’ on the debate about whether to introduce a 20 MPH speed limit in residential areas on the town’s roads.
Councillors adopted a policy that agrees a 20 MPH speed limit across residential streets in Thatcham would make the area more attractive and accessible for non-motorised highway users. However, Councillors felt that it was important for the voices of residents to be heard.
Cllr Jeff Brooks who is also the leader of West Berkshire Council said: “This is not a policy that we are desperate to implement; it is an option. Within estates, there is a small percentage of drivers who speed and drive faster than what can be considered to be safe.”
Cllr Simon Pike, Chairman of Thatcham Town Council Planning & Highways Committee said: “We agree on the importance of the views of residents. As West Berkshire Council is currently undertaking a public consultation on this proposal, we believe that it is premature for the Town Council to take a position on the 20 MPH speed limit and we therefore take a neutral stance on this consultation,” and went on to share that the difference in a journey time in a 20 MPH speed limit area and a 30 MPH speed limit area is 1 minute per mile of the journey distance.
The difference in travel time between 20 and 30 MPH is one minute per mile travelled
Cllr SIMON PIKE
Cllr Simon Pike
Cllr Justin Pemberton, who also sits on West Berkshire Council said: “We shouldn’t be assuming anything about what our residents want or what they think,” as he made a personal plea to the residents of Thatcham to make their opinions known by taking part in the consultation process. He told the meeting that some residents think that the Council doesn’t listen or take any notice and wanted to emphasise that he believed from his own experience that this is not the case.
Cllr Pemberton voiced his support for the proposal of 20 MPH speed limits and added: “I am a car driver and I drive an electric vehicle. This measure is not anti-car, it’s pro safety. It’s about protecting vulnerable road users and potentially saving a life. Those cars will still get to where they need to go.”
This measure is not anti-car, it’s pro-safety
Cllr Justin Pemberton
After many of the Town Councillors spoke during the meeting, a common theme was that Councillors want residents to express their views and preferences by taking part in the consultation by West Berkshire Council by Wednesday 5th November.
The ultimate decision about the speed limits remains with West Berkshire Council but Thatcham Town Council is a consultee on this matter as are local residents who are also being consulted.
Residents in Thatcham can take part in the consultation at the West Berkshire Council website here https://www.westberks.gov.uk/article/45116/Have-your-say-on-proposed-20mph-speed-limit-for-Thatcham