Statement from Thirsk & Malton Constituency Labour Party in support of the 20’s Plenty Campaign

The Thirsk and Malton Constituency Labour Party is firmly committed to supporting campaigns and policies that have positive impacts on the health, safety and environmental welfare of our neighbourhoods for the benefit of all who reside in Thirsk & Malton.

We fully support the nationwide 20’s Plenty Campaign which seeks for speed limits of 20mph to be the norm on residential streets and in town and village centres where people and children live, work and play. Globally, the World Health Organization & United Nations endorse the adoption of 20mph default limit as best practice.

Lower limits save lives so it is no surprise that regionally the adoption of a 20mph default limit, in areas where people mix with vehicles, has been supported so far by 56 North Yorkshire parish councils. Nationally, according to a report from the Department for Transport, surveys have shown over 70% of the public are in favour of 20mph limits in residential areas. Increasing numbers of people in the UK now live in authorities with default 20mph policies.

Despite this widespread support and implementation of a 20mph default limit in other parts of our country, North Yorkshire County Council is about to reject a general 20mph limit in our towns and villages at a meeting of its Executive Committee on 11th January. It is of great concern that this knee jerk rejection of a beneficial and progressive policy is being done without proper evaluation of existing schemes in other areas or full public consultation and in conflict with representations made by many parish councils.

We call upon NYCC to reconsider, listen to its residents and follow best practice as other local authorities have done. We encourage residents across the constituency to contact NYCC calling on them to support a 20mph default speed limit in towns and villages. Residents can also ask their local parish or town councils to support this campaign.

Please find attached the letter from the Thirsk and Malton Constituency Labour Party sent to the NYCC on 6th of January.

For more information about the 20’s Plenty for North Yorkshire Campaign contact:

20splentyfornorthyorkshire@gmail.com

3rd January 2022