Frequently asked questions

A: The point of the twentys plenty campaign is that you reduce the default speed limit in an entire urban area, not just parts of it. That way everyone is clear about the situation – drivers know that they need to drive more slowly, and residents can feel safer about letting their kids out in the street, riding their bikes or just crossing the roads, especially the elderly. Having variable speed limits across an urban area just confuses everybody.

Q.2 Having read some comments on the Star website it would appear many motorists are against the campaign. Why do you think this is and what has been your experience of how the wider community reacted to the matter?

A: Actually research shows that 72% of drivers are in favour of lower speed limits. All the comments in the Star show is that there is a small vociferous minority, some of whom may represent vested interests, who are prepared to put the time into trying to wreck something that would actually be of benefit to all. You will find these same people commenting on just about every article that goes into the star online. Our experience has been that most people are enthusiastic of the idea – no-pone wants to be responsible for causing injury or death to another person , after all.

Q.3 Among the criticisms of the proposal include a concern that to avoid accidents, policy would be better directed at educating people with regards to road safety, and that it would be a difficult policy to police to the point it is likely to be ignored. How would you respond to these claims?

A: In general, policy has been directed at road safety education over the past 20 years or so, and this has has had an effect, but it seems to have gone as far as it can now. Although overall the roads have become safer, children,  adult pedestrians and cyclists are disproportinately at risk in the UK compared to other countries, and this measure is needed to redress that issue.

Q.4 Your website points out that the Lib Dems have supported the scheme in other areas of the country but are reluctant to back the city-wide scheme in Sheffield. why do you think this is and what feedback have you received from Labour and the Conservatives with regards to your campaign?

A: We think that the LIi Dems have set up the Community Assembly structure without giving enough thought as to what these assemblies would actually do, and this has seemed an opportunity  to find some work for them. We have found that Labour are generally supportive – they progressed the safer streets agenda when they were in power, but in our view have concentrated too much on traffic calming measures, which are expensive to introduce. The Conservatives seem to be least in favour of the 20mph limit.

Q.5  I am a bit unclear on how the matter will proceed from here. I understand that a petition has been put forward and been referred to the Cabinet Highways Committee, but how is the final decision made? How confident are you that your campaign will be successful?

A: We understand that a senior council officer, John Bann, is writing a report for councillors on the issue, and this is due out in June, so we will have to wait and see what that says. However, we think that the tide is turning nationwide, and sooner or later Sheffield will have to get with the programme.