Dangerous roads set for 20mph plan

Speed limits on some of Bournemouth's most dangerous roads could be lowered to 20mph (32km/h) under council plans.

BCP Council has launched a public consultation on its proposal to reduce the speed limit from 30mph (48km/h) in Winton, which it said saw 36 people suffer serious injuries in road crashes in the four years to 2023.

The local authority said the move would make roads "safer for residents" in the area.

But BCP and Dorset Motorists Group has opposed the plan and set up a petition which has attracted more 3,000 signatories.

There were more crashes in Winton resulting in injury than any other part of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) area between 2019-2023, with 217 casualties, the council said.

Rich Herrett, the authority's destination, leisure and commercial operations chief, said the plan was "about road safety, making roads safer and improving lives for our residents".

The zones have proved controversial across the UK, and are often criticised for not being enforced, with the speed limit often ignored by drivers.

Wales introduced a blanket national 20mph speed limit in 2023, with data showing that in the scheme's first year the number of people hurt fell by 28% compared with the same period the year before, with 10 fewer deaths.

Mr Herrett highlighted the positive impact the zones could have on road safety around schools.

"There are 11 schools in the area [of the proposed 20 mph zone] or on the periphery and a lot of those children and young people travel through and across the area to get to and from their schools," he said.

"This will make the roads safer for them and everyone that travels within it."

Last year, pupils at St Michael's Primary School in Bournemouth successfully petitioned the council for a 20mph zone around the school, following a "near miss" on the road outside.

Anthony Evans, headteacher of the school, said the similar proposal for Winton would "save the lives of children".

"Since it's been brought in here, our children are a lot safer, are able to get to breakfast club and leave school safely, without fear of any more collisions or near misses," he continued.

But BCP and Dorset Motorists Group has launched a petition citing a lack of confidence in the council's traffic and transport strategy.

Steve Moody, the group's chair, said: "I think 20mph zones have their place, particularly outside schools and we as a motorists' group would support that.

"However, we'd like to see that on a part-time basis, not 24 hours, 7 days a week."

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