Blanket Speed Reduction Rejected

10.10.47pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Apr 2005

Following a three-month long public consultation, the Liberal Democrat Cabinet have agreed not to introduce a blanket speed reduction of 20 mph on all grid roads in Milton Keynes. The grid roads currently have 60 mph and 70 mph speed limits.

However, a consistent 30 mph speed limit will be introduced in Central Milton Keynes on all Gates and Boulevards - including Saxon Gate, Witan Gate and Avebury Boulevard.

Councillor Graham Mabbutt, Cabinet member with responsibility for highways, said: "Although the grid roads generally have a good safety record, there have been a number of fatalities involving pedestrians in recent years. Council officers will examine ways of making the underpasses and footbridges more attractive and convenient for pedestrians, and ways of providing better education of road users, particularly young people, through schools and youth groups in Milton Keynes.

"In addition, current speed limits on some grid roads may no longer be appropriate in some locations - such as where the number of accidents has increased, or where additional development has created more road junctions. So the Council will conduct a detailed survey to determine whether to reduce speed limits on sections of certain grid roads."