20mph signs aim to curb speeding drivers across Wirral

Jun 17 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Heswall News

A NEW speed-reducing initiative is being driven through Wirral in a bid to make people more responsible on the roads.

Eight areas across the borough are currently implementing the £10,000 Wirral Council scheme, which encourages drivers to slow down to 20mph in areas with high collision rates.

A pilot scheme, "Bring Accidents Down 2 0", took place in 2008.

Following its success, the scheme has now been rolled out in full and over the past few weeks hundreds of red speed signs have been erected in residential areas including Lang Lane, West Kirby, Bermuda Road, Moreton, Sandbrook Lane, Moreton, Station Road, Wallasey, Limekiln Lane, Wallasey, Townfield Lane, Bebington, Mill Park Drive, Eastham and Willowbank Road, Birkenhead.

The areas were selected following suggestions from the public, councillors and area forums.

The scheme, which will be relocated to new areas in the Autumn, aims to reduce speed without the need for expensive traffic calming measures such as speed bumps or chicanes.

Ken Frost, who lives in an area where the scheme has been introduced, said: “If they slow people down, even a bit, then great.”

Wallasey councillor Leah Fraser added: “A lot of residents ring me up with concerns over speeding and they seem pleased these signs have appeared throughout Wirral.”