Consultation begins for Bradford 20mph zone

Bradford Council is proposing a 20mph zone in the city centre and around a number of schools.

Proposals for the scheme were approved by the Council’s Executive Committee last month and it is hoped that the move will encourage motorists to take up walking and cycling.

The new speed limits will also protect vulnerable road users including children, pedestrians and cyclists by improving road safety at key locations of the district.

The zone covers Bradford city centre within the inner ring road and includes the areas around Bradford College and the University of Bradford.

The plan also includes the introduction of 20mph zones on a significant number of streets around Farnham and St Joseph’s Primary Schools, to improve safety for pupils on their journeys to and from school. The area covers over 1,500 homes as well as community and children’s centres and most of the streets around St Luke’s Hospital.

The scheme will now go out to consultation until March 5.

Sarah Muckle, director of public health in Bradford, said: ‘All people have a right to safe roads. Introducing 20mph zones has the potential to bring about a range of health and wellbeing benefits for people in Bradford, particularly children. 20mph zones have not only been shown to save lives, but also have a positive impact on people’s physical and mental health.’]

In related news, hundreds of scooters are being given to primary schools across Leeds as part of a new scheme to reduce the number of cars on the road during school drop off and pick up times.

Scooters and scooter storage will be rolled out across thirty primary schools in Leeds; most are located within the Clean Air Charging Zone that will come into effect on the 6^th January 2020 and it is hoped the scheme will encourage children to scoot to school instead of being driven.