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Campaigners in plea for 20mph zones across Leicester (POLL)

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Campaigners have handed about 100 letters to the city council calling on all residential Leicester streets to be made 20mph zones.

The Friends of the Earth representatives collected the letters from city residents calling for the change across Leicester, with the exception of the most important traffic routes.

It comes after they also handed in a 500-signature petition on the topic in January.

Group co-ordinator Jill Fisher said: "Twenty mph limits encourage walking and cycling and improve air quality, which improves health.

"We would like a city-wide 20mph limit on all but the arterial and ring roads. Portsmouth, Bristol, York and Southampton have done it and the Department for Transport is encouraging cities to do it."

Fellow campaigner Hannah Wakley said: "Bristol noticed it did not lead to a big drop in speed – just a few miles per hour – but it did increase pedestrian levels by up to 37 per cent.

"People just felt safer. We're just asking for signs because speed bumps aren't nice for cyclists or bus passengers.

"Where there are problem spots, traffic calming measures such as speed bumps could be looked at."

In 2008, the city council said it would introduce 20mph speed restrictions in every residential street.

The policy was introduced after a campaign by the Green Party and expected to be rolled out across the city.

This year, the council announced it would make 182 streets in the city 20 mph zones over the next two years.

When completed, the project will include streets in Newfoundpool, St Matthew's, Rowley Fields and Stocking Farm, along with the Aylestone Village area, parts of Mowmacre, Rushey Mead, Bradgate Heights and Humberstone Village.

Deputy mayor Rory Palmer, who was handed the letters yesterday, said he was fully behind 20mph zones in residential areas but that consultation had to come first in each area where it was proposed.

He said: "We are currently rolling out 20mph schemes around the city over the next two years at a cost of about £2 million.

"I've long been a supporter of them and they create a culture of safer streets.

"There are practical considerations such as funding and also getting the backing of residents. We wouldn't just impose city-wide limits without dialogue."

Campaigners in plea for 20mph zones across Leicester (POLL)


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