Questions Over Proposed 20mph Limit for Whitby

Could a default 20mph speed limit in Whitby actually be enforced?

That's the question being raised by the Town's Mayor.

The Town Council has give it's support to the 20's plenty campaign which wants to see default 20mph zones in urban areas.

Councillor Linda Wild doesn't think the police have the resource to enforce a lower speed limit, but doesn't think that should be a reason not to introduce it.

There have been a number of concerns raised across North Yorkshire in the last few months that existing 20mph zones are not being actively enforced.

Recent meetings of North Yorkshire County Council’s constituency committees have heard while many residents want the number of 20mph zones increased or introduced across all  built-up areas, 20mph zones which have been in place for 15 years had never been policed.

Councillors have said while the force’s safety camera vans enforce 30mph restrictions, irresponsible motorists appear to be able to drive with impunity in the 20mph zones.

In responses to questions over why North Yorkshire Police did not enforce 20mph zones, neither the force or the police and crime commissioner denied that 20mph zones were not policed, and the police appeared to suggest it would largely be up to trained volunteer residents to do so.

A police spokesperson said:

“When concerns are raised by a local community about a 20mph zone, this may result in a Community Speed Watch (CSW) outcome via our speed management protocol process. This process is speed and collision data led and determines the most appropriate outcome for each complaint received.

“Anyone exceeding the speed limit whilst CSW are on deployment can be dealt with. Our roads policing officers may also be requested to conduct speed enforcement as part of their daily duties wherever it is determined necessary – again based on data.”

When asked why 20mph zones were not being enforced, Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe said operational policing, such as deciding where and when to enforce the law, was the chief constable’s responsibility.

She said:

“I am hearing that road safety is becoming more of an issue for some communities and next year I will be holding a public accountability meeting to look, in depth, at how North Yorkshire Police are keeping our roads and communities safe.

“Speeding motorists and anti-social behaviour on our roads has always been a major concern with communities and I will continue to raise this with the chief constable to ensure that the force are taking the most appropriate action necessary.”

Richmond councillor Stuart Parsons said when a large 20mph zone was introduced in the town police stated there would be no enforcement, which made the zone “totally pointless”.

He said:

“The police should be explaining why they are not enforcing the law in its entirety. If they’re not there enforcing the 20mph, then they’re not going to be out there enforcing it when the cars are driving at 40mph, 60mph or 80mph. The boy racers know they risk nothing.”

Whitby Town councillor Anne Brown says she doesn't think Whitby has a massive speeding problem and feels it would be difficult for the police to enforce any lower speed limit.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Councillor Keane Duncan, said the authority was reviewing the most effective approach to speed limits following a request by elected community representatives for a default 20mph zone throughout their area.

He said:

“We must ensure that all of our efforts, particularly when resources are tight, are focussed on saving lives and avoiding injuries.

“As part of this review, we will be formally asking the police about their approach to speed enforcement inside 20mph limits so that councillors can consider this.”