DRIVERS are dropping their speed in Cheshire West’s new 20 mph zones – but councillors want to see more evidence that the scheme has been a clear success.

New figures presented to a Cheshire West and Chester Council committee on Monday show that average speed and the overall number of collisions reduced during the first year of 20 mph zones launched in 2017-18.

But average speed did increase in some areas – while councillors and officers expect to have a more reliable picture once it gets the results from 2018-19.

Cllr Karen Shore, cabinet member for environment, highways and strategic transport, said: “If you enter a zone that you become aware is a 20 mph zone, you’re a little bit more alert and aware of your surroundings.

Northwich Guardian:

“We have made the area safer in doing that, as well as reducing the volume of traffic, which is also in keeping with wanting to improve air quality and address the climate emergency.”

On average across the 31 20 mph zones introduced in 2017-18, speed dropped by 0.9 mph during the first year, with average speed decreasing in 23 of the 31 zones.

The overall number of road traffic collisions reduced by 22 per cent – although there were two collisions that led to death or serious injury.

The most effective 20 mph zone for reducing speed was Wharton, where speed dropped by 3.3 mph from 24.7 mph to 21.4 mph, followed by a 3.2 mph drop in south Cuddington, from 25.4 mph to 22.2 mph.

But the zone near Sandiway Primary saw the largest average speed increase despite the introduction of the 20 mph limit – up by 2.6 mph from 24.2 mph to 26.8 mph – followed by a 2.5 mph rise in Victoria Street, Northwich, from 19.1 mph to 21.6 mph.

A report presented to councillors on Monday night said that any zones where average speed is above 24 mph can be considered for additional safety measures.

Meanwhile, the amount of traffic travelling at more than 25 mph in the 31 areas dropped by 25 per cent in the first year, while the amount of traffic travelling at more than 30 mph dropped by 33 per cent.

Members of CWAC’s places overview and scrutiny committee were encouraged by the figures – but wanted to see more data in the years to come before jumping to any conclusions on how well the scheme is going.

Cllr Andrew Cooper, Labour, said: “The point of this exercise for me is about herd immunity.

Northwich Guardian:

“It’s a bit like vaccination. You don’t vaccinate everybody against polio because they’re all definitely going to get polio, it’s about what happens across the population.

“Based on the evidence in this report, it seems to be working, but when we see more data we’ll know for sure.”

Cllr John Leather, Conservative, added: “We have spent £800,000 or so on this scheme and I really think it’s worth spending a few thousand pound more to make sure we get the maximum value of data analysis.

Northwich Guardian:

“If one of the impacts of the 20 mph scheme is to reduce volume of drivers going over a certain speed, it might be because the drivers who speed are actually taking a different route.

“That might be good for the 20 mph zones but it might be pushing the problem further down the road.”

READ > Altrincham-style artisan market on London Road will go ahead after plans approved

Speed dropped by an average of 0.4 mph after the first year of 20 mph zones introduced in 2016-17, with 2017-18 being the second year of the council’s project to introduce them.

A further 59 zones were added in 2018-19, and 58 new zones are expected to follow in 2019-20.