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Road Humps and 20 mph Speed Limits
05 December 2023
Lead MP
Iain Duncan Smith
Chingford and Woodford Green
Con
Responding Minister
Guy Opperman
Tags
TaxationTransportLocal Government
Word Count: 13267
Other Contributors: 9
At a Glance
Iain Duncan Smith raised concerns about road humps and 20 mph speed limits in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Mr Duncan Smith calls for a full independent inquiry by the Department for Transport to review roads with 20 mph speed limits on a road-by-road basis. He requests that this review considers the impact of traffic-calming measures such as road humps and finds up-to-date information and data.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Mr Duncan Smith is concerned about the roll-out of 20 mph zones and associated traffic-calming measures in residential areas, citing serious unintended consequences for residents. He highlights significant vibrations caused by heavy vehicles hitting speed humps, leading to damage to property, noise pollution, and sleep disturbance. Mr Duncan Smith also raises concerns over outdated research data used to justify the implementation of these measures, which does not reflect current traffic conditions.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Emphasised the importance of local decision-making for road safety measures, noting that urban areas often use streets as rat runs and require speed bumps. Acknowledged the 1,700 deaths annually due to road accidents but stated that it is up to local authorities to decide on appropriate speed limits based on their unique circumstances. Asked the Minister to give way, but was told by the Chair that this is not a point of order and the Minister would not be giving way.
Meon Valley
I am concerned about the high-speed traffic on the A32, which is dangerous for pedestrians and other road users in Meon Valley villages. I welcome the installation of average speed cameras but call for more measures such as 20 mph zones and acoustic noise limits to empower communities to take control of their roads.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
He pointed out that road traffic-calming measures can cause complaints on both sides: drivers avoid humps by taking other routes, leading to increased traffic and noise for residents nearby. Acknowledged his colleague's intervention.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Provided a Northern Ireland perspective on road safety measures, highlighting specific examples of 20 mph zones and traffic calming around schools. He noted the importance of local endorsement for such initiatives to be successful and mentioned the positive impact of part-time 20 mph speed limit zones at Grey Abbey Primary School and Loughries Integrated Primary School in his constituency.
Louie French
Con
Old Bexley and Sidcup
She highlighted the risk that traffic reduction measures in London could lead to increased emissions due to slower travel speeds and new routes, noting that London is now the slowest city to drive in.
Peter Dowd
Lab
Bootle
Mr Dowd discussed the principle of subsidiarity and the importance of local decision-making regarding traffic calming measures. He mentioned a local school project aimed at reducing speed, citing figures from Statista showing 1,700 road deaths and £3.5 billion in costs annually due to speeding. Mr Dowd also highlighted issues such as pavement parking and cycle lane obstructions as part of broader traffic concerns. He emphasised the effectiveness of speed humps and bumps for accident reduction but stressed that local authorities should have autonomy in implementing these measures.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Richard Foord shared an anecdote about a pedestrian fatality on a rural road where the speed limit was 30 mph. He highlighted that since 2019, there have been 971 collisions in his constituency resulting in 12 deaths and 168 serious injuries. Foord argued for individual responsibility while acknowledging the need for state intervention to protect citizens from dangerous driving conditions. He suggested that local authorities should be trusted to implement 20 mph zones but noted resource constraints, such as Devon County Council's ability to fund only six out of 105 applications due to costs. Foord also mentioned the effectiveness of lower speed limits in reducing fatalities and injuries.
Robin Millar
Con
Aberconwy
Millar highlighted the opposition to 20 mph speed limits in Wales, citing a petition with over half a million signatures and polling that shows two-thirds of Welsh voters support repealing the restrictions. He argued that these restrictions are causing significant delays for businesses, care services, and individuals, leading to increased costs and reduced service quality. Millar estimated an annual penalty of £15,000 for rural areas due to the additional time required for services like care visits. Asked Iain Duncan Smith how his suggestions can be considered non-political matters when road humps are decided by politicians. Asked if Flick Drummond would consider crossing the Floor, which was not directly answered. Robin Millar asked if Richard Foord agreed with the Labour Government in Wales imposing a blanket presumption for 20 mph limits across all areas.
Stephen Crabb
Con
Pembrokeshire West
He argued that the Welsh Labour Government's blanket 20 mph policy has been poorly implemented, prioritising enforcement of existing speed limits and empowering local councils to design schemes based on community needs.
Government Response
Guy Opperman
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Robertson. I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green on securing the debate and all colleagues on a constructive, positive and engaging cross-party debate. Clearly, road safety is a priority for us all. Road humps can play an important role in improving road safety but must meet the requirements set out in the Highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1999. Local authorities are responsible for ensuring any measures they install comply with legislation and that due process is followed. I will ask the Department for Transport—working with the Transport Research Laboratory—to do a fresh review and further research on road humps near private dwellings, given that the evidence basis is decades old. Proper consultation and subsequent enforcement are crucial if an individual or council is to introduce these changes. £8.3 billion has been given to local authorities for road repairs and potholes. I endorse campaigns for cameras as a way to slow traffic down but there must be consultation with the police and that the limits set should be capable of being enforced.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.