20 is plenty for safer streets
Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Opposition have tabled proposals for safer residential streets across Oldham in a Full Council meeting later this month. The Liberal Democrat motion calls for a roll-out of 20mph zones on the Borough’s residential roads.
Saddleworth West and Lees representative councillor Mark Kenyon, who will move the motion on December 13th said, “More than half of all accident casualties occur on roads with 30mph limits. A pedestrian is seven times more likely to die if they are hit by a vehicle travelling at 30mph than they are at 20mph. And it is the elderly and young who are most at risk.”
Shaw Liberal Democrat councillor Hazel Gloster said, “Safer communities is a top priority for our residents. People want to see the Council take action to make it safer to get about. It’s about getting the basics right.”
The Liberal Democrats have consistently backed campaigns aimed at improving road safety, most notably with the “20 is Plenty” campaign for reduced speed limits on residential streets.
Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader and Leader of Oldham Council’s main opposition group councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “Speed limits are just one tool available to the Council. We also want to see more speed cameras, and preferably ones that actually work. The minority of people who make our streets unsafe should be prosecuted.
“We have brought motions to Council in the past and we have asked numerous questions of every Council Leader we’ve had over the last few years. It shouldn’t take serious incidents or even fatalities before the Council’s Leadership starts to listen. Liberal Democrats will continue to make the case for safer streets until meaningful action is taken.”