LIB DEMS TRANSPORT CHIEF WELCOMES 20mph ZONES CALL

BRISTOL’S Lib Dem-led city council has welcomed encouragement from the Coalition Government to extend the use of 20mph zones in built-up areas.
Bristol is already trialling 20mph zones in two areas of the city and Gary Hopkins, executive member for transport in Bristol, welcomed the “helping hand” ministers were offering.
This follows an announcement - described as revolutionary by Councillor Hopkins - from new Transport Minister Norman Baker, also a Liberal Democrat.
He said: “We’ve gone through a period over the last 100 years when those not in motorised vehicles have felt that the ownership of the streets in urban areas has been taken away from them.
“I want to move to a situation where the ownership is shared between motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.”
According to the campaign group, 20s Plenty for Us, Portsmouth, Oxford and Newcastle have all introduced 20mph limits on all residential roads without using speed bumps.
Founder Rod King said: “It is good to see the government recognises that our streets should be available for every citizen to walk or cycle on without the fear of high-speed motor vehicles.”
Councillor Hopkins said: “Having watched and learned from other successful Lib Dem authorities, Bristol introduced two pilot schemes.
“Our intention was to evaluate these and, if successful, move to a city-wide scheme in the near future. Now, thanks to Norman Baker’s announcement, we are getting a helping hand with this.”