Councils' large bill for 20mph speed limits

Hundreds of thousands of pounds are being spent by cash-strapped councils installing controversial 20mph speed limits across the Midlands, it has been revealed.

There are also plans for more schemes, with councils claiming limits help improve road safety, especially in residential areas. Some drivers say 20mph is too slow and causes delays and makes journey times longer.

They are also concerned that councils could look at blanket 20mph limits across a whole town or city, as has been enforced in Portsmouth.

All roads within Wolverhampton's city centre ring road are 20mph. Outside the centre, in the last 12 months, £99,000 has gone on eight 20mph zones in Ormes Lane, Clarendon Street, Haden Hill, Larches Lane, Fifth Avenue, Maxwell Road and Granville Street.

In Dudley, £15,000 went on cutting the speed limit at Shell Corner, Halesowen. About £2,000 went on 20mph signs and reflective bollards on the dual carriageway Birmingham Street, Stourbridge.

Howver, Martin Neville, aged 35, of Colley Lane, Cradley, said: "There have been a few incidents I've seen already where people have hit the brakes suddenly and panicked when they see the 20mph sign."

In Sandwell, a 20mph restriction was enforced outside Ocker Hill Junior School in Gospel Oak Road, Tipton, last year.

There are plans this year to spend £100,000 on a 20mph speed limit near Abbey Junior and Infants School, Abbey Road, Smethwick, and St Gregory's Primary School, and install speed ramps.

In Wyre Forest and Walsall no 20mph limits were introduced last year but plans are being drawn up to make the road outside Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre 20mph, at a cost of about £50,000.

No Staffordshire details were available.