Speed limit of 20mph set for West Bromwich housing estates
Speed limits in residential roads in West Bromwich could be slashed to 20mph as part of a crackdown on drivers going too fast near homes and schools.
Councillors are calling for a review of the limit on carriageways which connect to B roads in the town to try to put the brakes on motorists speeding through housing estates. The scheme is presently being considered by Sandwell Council's Six Towns scrutiny committee, which is gathering information on the implications of such a proposal.
Recommendations will be submitted to the authority's Cabinet at a later date – although councillors admitted it may take some time to become a reality.
Members are also looking at how the restrictions could be enforced.
They said problems with speeding on housing estates, near to homes and schools, was an ongoing concern and a solution needed to be found.
Councillor Shirley Hosell said the review was not intended to change limits on main roads in the town but was focused on residential routes.
"At the moment we are looking at the possibility of imposing a 20mph limit restriction on estate roads in the town connected to B roads," she said.
"There is still a lot of work to be done on the scheme and even if it is not possible to implement on all roads of this kind it may open up putting restrictions on some.
"This could take some time. It is not something which will happen overnight but is something we would like to see happen to improve safety on these roads.
"West Bromwich has two major problems on its roads and that is speeding and parking problems outside schools. This would help to deal with one of them."
Councillor Hosell said similar schemes had been put in place on roads in nearby Wolverhampton and in London.
