Kendal Town Council is pushing forward its plans for blanket 20mph limits on its roads, reiterating its support for the initiative at a meeting earlier this month. This would make it the latest in a string of locations to introduce reduced speeds over recent years.
The limits would be implemented in all residential and built-up areas, with the aim of improving road safety and overall quality of life for locals. It’s also thought that the move would result in reduced emissions and pollution.
An informal public consultation on the plans is expected to take place later in the year, which will determine whether the limits will be officially rolled out in 2026.
A spokesperson for Kendal Town Council said: “This initiative is about making Kendal safer, cleaner, friendlier and more community focused. Who wouldn’t want our residential streets to be safer for our children travelling to school on foot or by bicycle? Who wouldn’t want cleaner air and fewer emissions? A 20mph speed limit tackles so many issues and can be a benefit to all of us.”
Welsh authorities faced significant public criticism when implementing 20mph limits across the country, perhaps the most prominent adoption of the reduced speeds. Despite this backlash, evidence appears to show fewer deaths where the limits were lowered.
The latest data suggests that over 100,000 drivers have been caught breaking this limit since its introduction in 2023. The numbers, from road safety partnership GoSafe, indicate that the average speed in these instances was around 28mph, although one reckless driver was clocked at 89mph.
Rod King, founder of the campaign group 20’s Plenty for Us, suggested that the numbers are in line with compliance on 30mph roads: “What we know is the level of enforcement is similar to what it was with 30mph, but we know the casualties are reduced and speed is reduced.
“The fact is, people in Wales are supporting this by lifting their right foot. They’re actually driving slower, communities are more peaceful, communities are easier to get around walking and cycling.”
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