Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Speed limit to be cut to 20mph in rural areas

Sarah Schaefer
Wednesday 12 January 2000 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Government gave its strongest signal so far yesterday that new speed limits will be introduced in rural areas to try to improve road safety.

The Government gave its strongest signal so far yesterday that new speed limits will be introduced in rural areas to try to improve road safety.

Ministers hinted that the forthcoming Road Safety Strategy would include speed reductions intended to cut the number of people who die on Britain's roads. Safety campaigners who insist that present levels of deaths are unacceptable have exerted huge pressure to curb the present limit of 30mph in villages.

Beverley Hughes, a Transport minister, said in the Commons that the review would have "specific proposals for speed in rural areas".

Government sources later said introduction of reduced speed limits was one of the preferred options. Local authorities already have the power to impose 20mph speed limits in front of village schools or playgrounds for safety reasons.

Other measures being considered include traffic cones and building street humps. The number of road deaths in 1998 was 3,421, the lowest since records began in 1926.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in