Thursday, September 12, 2013
FRESH calls have been made to enforce 20mph zones in Exeter.
A number of residential areas across the city have the speeding restriction but there is concern that they are not being enforced.
The county council is currently carrying out a 'review' of the zones to make sure they are compliant with the law and are clear to motorists.
And the authority claims the police have powers to act to catch speeding motorists in 20mph zones.
But councillors have called for more to be done and questioned why they haven't been enforced.
Councillor Paul Bull, who represents Cowick, said: "20mph zones have been in place in Cowick since 2000, but at no time in those 13 years have they been legally enforceable – even when the Government relaxed regulations making it easier to set-up 20mph zones, as Devon County Council haven't made them valid."
A Devon County Council spokesman said action could be taken to prevent speeding.
He said: "We are aware of the concerns over speeding in 20mph zones and limits and we are taking the opportunity to review them. Our review is ensuring 20mph limits are as visible as possible and provide adequate information to motorists. The police have a number of tools available to them to ensure motorists respect the speed limits and drive accordingly."
Police have said they will enforce speed limits if they are made aware of particular problem areas.
A spokesman said: "If action to curtail speed is to be considered within 20mph limits, a number of options can be considered.
"This may include high visibility patrols in the locality, speed limit indicator devices flashing the limit to traffic, letter drops in the area and Community Speed Watch.
"Enforcement through prosecution is a final resort and where evidence is available of wilful violations by specific offenders at known times of the day, enforcement action should be targeted at those identified times and offending motorists."
A number of residential areas across the city have the speeding restriction but there is concern that they are not being enforced.
The county council is currently carrying out a 'review' of the zones to make sure they are compliant with the law and are clear to motorists.
And the authority claims the police have powers to act to catch speeding motorists in 20mph zones.
Councillor Paul Bull, who represents Cowick, said: "20mph zones have been in place in Cowick since 2000, but at no time in those 13 years have they been legally enforceable – even when the Government relaxed regulations making it easier to set-up 20mph zones, as Devon County Council haven't made them valid."
A Devon County Council spokesman said action could be taken to prevent speeding.
He said: "We are aware of the concerns over speeding in 20mph zones and limits and we are taking the opportunity to review them. Our review is ensuring 20mph limits are as visible as possible and provide adequate information to motorists. The police have a number of tools available to them to ensure motorists respect the speed limits and drive accordingly."
Police have said they will enforce speed limits if they are made aware of particular problem areas.
A spokesman said: "If action to curtail speed is to be considered within 20mph limits, a number of options can be considered.
"This may include high visibility patrols in the locality, speed limit indicator devices flashing the limit to traffic, letter drops in the area and Community Speed Watch.
"Enforcement through prosecution is a final resort and where evidence is available of wilful violations by specific offenders at known times of the day, enforcement action should be targeted at those identified times and offending motorists."
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