New 20mph zones considered for island roads

New 20mph zones could be introduced to some parts of the Isle of Wight in an effort to make roads safer.

The findings of a new island-wide review of speed limits will be considered by Isle of Wight councillors next week.

It recommended that routes, including High Street in Sandown and York Avenue in East Cowes, could have their speed limit cut to 20mph from 30mph.

The review, which took into account more than 200 requests logged on a council register, found some roads were suited to a 20mph limit but that changes would need to be "carefully considered".

Isle of Wight Council said another 210 sites were added to the review to ensure it was "thorough".

Council leader Phil Jordan said the primary goal of the work was to improve safety for everyone and cut the risk of accidents.

"While we couldn't consider every road on the Island, the variety of roads monitored allows us to make reasonable judgments about vehicle speeds based on highway characteristics," he said.

"These recommendations are based on formal assessments of on-site traffic surveys, following national guidelines."

Further work will study the extent of any changes and potential costs involved.

Karen Lucioni, the council's cabinet member for community protection, said cutting speed limits could be a "simple yet powerful change that can save lives".

"When vehicles travel at 20mph or below, the chances of survival for vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, increase dramatically in the event of an impact.

"Similarly, keeping speeds under 40mph greatly enhances the survival chances of vehicle occupants in head-on collisions. It's about creating safer environments for everyone on the road, whether they're walking, cycling, or driving.

"By focusing on speed management, we can make our roads safer and reduce the tragic consequences of high-speed accidents."

The council's cabinet will consider the report at a meeting on 9 January.

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