Liberal Democrat Councillors were surprised when the Leader of the Oldham Conservative Group was so dismissive of a Liberal Democrat backed plan to introduce 20mph zones across the Borough to help reduce road deaths and injuries.

Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes, Leader of the Opposition, proposed a motion at the meeting of the Council last Wednesday (4 November) which called upon the Council to look again at introducing a 20mph speed limit on residential streets across the borough to save lives.  The Liberal Democrats had previously asked for 20mph to be the default speed limit in 2014, an action that the Labour Administration chose not to pursue at the time.

Tory Councillor John Hudson OBE described the plan as “a load of crap” and “unnecessary” passing judgement on a measure which studies show reduces road accidents by 20%.  Conservative Councillors then abstained on the motion.

Councillor Sykes said:  “In this debate, the Conservatives showed they are out-of-touch with people’s concerns when it comes to road safety.  In surveys, over seven in 10 people support the introduction of 20mph zones, and this level of support goes up when they are introduced.   At a time when people feel powerless in preventing deaths from Covid-19, is it ‘crap’ to ask drivers to help prevent more deaths on our roads by slowing down to save lives? 

“Responsible people wear face coverings and socially distance to help prevent Covid deaths; responsible drivers can be encouraged to reduce their speed to help prevent road deaths.  Having a 20mph limit signposted on our residential streets will, like the messaging to wear a face covering and make space, make responsible drivers aware of what the right choice is – and it is to kill your speed and not a child.”

Crompton Councillor Diane Williamson backed her colleague in seconding the motion.  Councillor Williamson also seconded the motion when it was first discussed in 2014.  She added: “Road casualty statistics show that you are at least five times more likely to die if struck by a vehicle travelling at 30mph than 20mph or 10 times if over 60 years old.  And there are also 20 percent less injuries on roads with 20mph speeds.  Reducing the speed limit on our residential streets is common-sense”.

Despite the Conservatives refusing to support the measure, the motion was overwhelmingly carried, and the proposal will now go before the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board for in-depth examination.  Councillor Sykes concluded:  “We must now hope that this second time around, the Administration choses to invest in this worthwhile road safety measure.  It’s time to say 20’s plenty in 2020”.