Greater action urged on 20mph zones amid transport funding success

The time taken to implement slower speed limits in some parts of Devon is too slow, according to frustrated campaigners.

With just £150,000 promised for new 20mph zones for each of this financial year and next, one councillor said some communities he represents aren’t happy about the support they are getting.
The money for the schemes is a tiny fraction of the £152 million worth of transport schemes on Devon County Council’s to-do list in the next two years.
The authority’s cabinet heard an update on transport funding this week, with councillors welcoming the £176 million in government grant funding over recent years for a variety of projects.
Cllr Marcus Hartnell (Conservative, Seaton & Colyton) said he knew of cases which had a strong case for 20mph zone but hadn’t be able to get financial help.
“I want to echo some of the frustrations of the communities I represent, in so far as they have put forward credible cases, but the funding is so oversubscribed that the council is only doing six or seven of these per year,” he said.
“I know the leader [of the council, James McInnes] has had correspondence from Colyford and that village has a strong case given it has a grammar school, a couple of shops and is on a busy coastal tourist route.
“It also has a very active speed-watch team supported by the police, and regularly records high levels of speed, but based on the [priority] system is still nowhere near the top.”
In 2021, Devon implemented a prioritisation system for requests for 20 mph speed limits at a time when it was only spending £100,000 a year on them.
Cllr Stuart Hughes, (Conservative, Sidmouth), cabinet member for highway management, said more 20mph schemes are being announced as soon as next week.
“Also, several parishes have agreed to fund 20mph zones within their own communities,” he said.
He noted that Colyford did have so-called ‘wig wags’ – usually referring to flashing signs that urge motorists to slow down – and that 20mph notices could be added to these.
“That could be done while we look at whether we could take a 20mph scheme forward, and there’s also the possibility of Cllr Hartnell being able to help fund measures through his locality budget, while Colyford could also put some money towards it,” Cllr Hughes added.
Locality budgets are funds of up to £8,000 a year for councillors to spend in the areas they represent, but are ususally “funds of last resort.”
Cllr Hartnell also asked whether communities could apply for funding to help ensure motorists drive more safely near and outside schools.
Jamie Hulland, a Devon County Council officer who helps oversee road safety, said where schools had been unable to recruit school crossing patrols, funding had been designated to improve zebra crossings.
“We have five schemes in the pipeline and have recently been carrying out improvements in Teignmouth, but if Cllr Hartnell has any particular crossing points he is concerned about, we are happy to have more suggestions and can take those forward for consideration,” he said.