Ludlow survey backs 20mph limit

The results of a Ludlow survey where campaigners knocked every door on targeted streets have now been analysed, and reveal 94 per cent of those who gave a response want the speed limit on their street to be lowered to 20mph, while 80 per cent supported a wider 20mph limit across the town.

The survey was conducted earlier this year as part of Ludlow's 20’s Plenty For Us campaign, part of a national drive to lower the speed limit in town centres and residential areas.

David Currant, of the Ludlow 21 Sustainable Transport Group spearheading the campaign, said: "We know that wide-area 20mph speed limits have been welcomed and implemented in many towns and cities throughout the UK but we needed a survey to find out how the residents of Ludlow felt about such a scheme in their home town.

"Six residential streets were chosen where there were known problems concerning speeding traffic and safety for children, pedestrians and cyclists. One of these, Sandpits Road, includes Ludlow Infants School and a residential home for elderly people," he said.

Other streets surveyed included Fishmore Road, Julian Ave and Livesey Road, Linney, Stanton Road and Temeside, as well as the residents of Guy Thornycroft Court off Parys Road.

"Members of the group called at every house in selected streets during the early evening or at weekends when residents were most likely to be at home," he said.

"We also surveyed random members of the public at three Ludlow Markets and at Ludlow College fair.

"The survey form asked just two questions to elicit a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ – to a 20mph limit in your street and in the whole town."

Those surveyed could answer immediately or send a response later. Responses were gathered from 68 per cent of the houses and the 20 per cent that expressed uncertainty about a wide-area limit generally did so because they were hesitant to speak for residents in other streets, he said.

"From the sample of streets and residents surveyed there appears to be a strong appetite for 20mph speed limits in residential roads in Ludlow," he said.

"Together with the existing 20mph zones and the recognised safety requirement for slower traffic speeds in the entire town centre the case for a Ludlow wide-area 20mph speed limit is becoming clear," he added.

A Shropshire-wide conference on the 20s Plenty For Us drive, together with campaigners from other towns, is to be held at Theatre Severn on September 30.