UP TO 280 more roads in Brighton and Hove are in line for 20MPH speed limits in the latest proposed roll-out.

The new limits are set for Hangleton, Saltdean, Mile Oak, Woodingdean and Rottingdean from next year following consultation with residents.

Brighton and Hove City Council said the success of the first phase of the scheme where accidents have dropped by 17% and injuries by 12% in its first year supported further expansion.

In the new areas more than 90 roads are set to have the 20mph zones despite voting against or showing no majority in favour of the lower limits being introduced.

The extension of the scheme also comes in the face of opposition from bus companies who say the plans would make some timetables “unworkable” and lead to a drop in bus passengers.

The third phase of 20mph could be implemented in March if agreed by the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee tomorrow.

It would follow the introduction of phase one introduced in April 2013 in central Brighton and Hove and phase two in July.

Surveys carried out in the phase one area between September 2013 and April saw motorist’s speeds reduced on average by 1.3mph in line with Government predictions and by as much as 8mph in some roads.

In response to criticisms that the new limits are not observed by drivers, the council said the average speeds through phase one of the roll-out is now 20mph.

The roads in the latest roll-out have been decided following a public consultation in which more than 24,000 leaflets and questionnaires were sent out.

Areas set for 20mph signs include all remaining roads in Mile Oak except for Fox Way, all roads in Hangleton west of Hangleton Way, all roads in Woodingdean north of Warren Road and west of Falmer Road and a small number of roads around Saltdean Park and primary school.

Large parts of Woodingdean, Hangleton and Saltdean voted against being included and will remain as they are.

Council officers have requested more time to decide on whether roads to the east of Falmer Road in Woodingdean should be included.

The latest phase could also see roads omitted from the first two stages of the scheme now being made into 20 mph with six roads around Hove Park set to be included in the latest increase after a public petition from residents.

Officers also hope to reduce one of the city’s most dangerous routes, Portland Road in Hove, to 20mph but because of local opposition to the change, a further year of monitoring will be carried out before any new proposal is made.

Compass Travel told officers that 20mph would make some of their current timetables unworkable and cause a drop in the number of passengers.

The Worthing-based bus firm also warned 20mph limits would see an increase in accidents and air pollution.

Councillor Pete West, environment, transport and sustainability committer chairman, said: “We’re getting increasing support on 20mph from residents who feel it makes, or will make, their streets safer, more pleasant places to live. “This is for the simple reason that you or your children are far more likely to survive being hit by a car at 20mph than you are at 30mph. “Now, we also have the figures from phase one showing it makes streets safer.

“Interestingly, support was highest in areas with pre-existing 20mph limits – Rottingdean and Portslade village.

“That shows residents are seeing first-hand the positive impacts lower speeds can bring for safety and quality of life.”

Hangleton and Knoll councillor Dawn Barnett said: “I have always said I don’t want 20 mph everywhere but I would want to see them around schools and in residential areas.

“It definitely needs to include Holmes Avenue because you have Blatchington Mill School, you have a nursery and it is on the way to Goldstone Primary School and Elm Drive as well because it has a primary school as well.

“It is difficult to keep everybody happy on this one.”

Councillor Bob Carden, Labour, for North Portslade, said: “I think this is going over the top like the way the greens have been going over the top with the other transport plans.

“I support it around schools but not on all roads.

“It will have a big effect over in Mile Oak and Woodingdean because everyone’s a motorist, that’s how people can get about.

“It just means that I am going to be restricted to looking at my speedo the whole time, which I think is dangerous.”

Transport consultant Mark Strong, based in the city, said: “The evidence is completely conclusive that 20 mph reduces speeds and reduces collisions.

“By rights the council should really wait for three years of figures but the figures in the report show it is going in the right direction.

“People make the argument that they only need to be 20 mph outside schools or hospitals but it misses the point that there are vulnerable people everywhere, if you walk your children to school from your home then it means you have people walking and cycling in your street even if you are nowhere near a school.

“It’s not unexpected that in areas where people drive more there is less support because residents don’t see it from the position of them walking around but it is good to see somewhere like Rottingdean that residents can see the benefits.”

Speaking about the issue of roads being included in the new phase even when they have voted against their inclusion, Coun West said: “For 20mph to work effectively it is important to have a coherent approach to setting limits.

“Having a mixture of limits in an area, without a pattern to it, would just lead to confusion for road users.

“It is also important that we have the support and agreement by residents in an area for the local speed limit.

“So while the consultation is important to gathering resident's views it isn't a street by street referendum, each road doesn’t get a veto, as we have to look at benefits for the area as a whole.

“It’s the same approach that we take to the controlled parking zones.

“This may lead to areas being left out of the scheme when there is a strong feeling against inclusion.

“The important thing to remember around the discussion of which road is in and which road is out, is that 20mph is significantly reducing collisions and saving lives.”

No final decision will be taken on the phase 3 proposals until responses to the advertisement of the speed limit orders have been reviewed, which is expected to be reported back to the environment, transport and sustainability committee in January 2015.

Earlier this month The Argus exclusively revealed there had been no successful prosecutions involving someone suspected of speeding between 20 and 30mph since the lower limits were introduced in April 2013.

Residents who spoke to The Argus yesterday were split on the new limit.

Trevor Hoyland, 75, of Broad Rig Avenue, Hove, said: “This area is used for learner drivers – there are hundreds of them practicing here all the time.

“How are they going to be able to learn to drive properly if they have to drive around everywhere so slowly?”

Chris Edmunds, 58, also of Broad Rig Avenue, Hove, said: “I’m against it. It’s just more money spent on something that’s not needed.

“Drivers aren’t sticking to it in the city and it’ll be the same over here.

“The police and the council can’t even enforce the 30mph, so what’s going to happen if it’s dropped down to 20mph?”

Jennifer, 69, and David Marks, 73, also of Broad Rig Avenue, are all for the plans.

Mrs Marks said: “People driving down from the council estate on Hangleton Way come at such a speed.

“I’ve nearly been smashed to smithereens a number of times, so something needs to be done.

“We’d welcome it with open arms.”

But Mary, 54, and Peter Todd, 60, also of Broad Rig Avenue, said: “I’m all for it outside of schools, but there really isn’t a lot of traffic around here so I don’t really see the point.

“And on top of that, no-one really takes any notice of the 20mph signs that are already up anyway.”

Mr Todd added: “If we get two cars up here it’s classed as rush hour.

“I really can’t see why they’d want to do it, it’s a complete waste of money because nobody is going to stick to it anyway.”

Derek Hinton, 78, of Broad Rig Avenue, said: “I don’t want it here.

“I can understand around the schools, but not round this way.

“It’s too slow, it adds to the pollution – particularly in Brighton – and it’s just a waste of money.”

Roads set for inclusion in new 20mph roll-out

Broad Rig Avenue
Buckley Close
Chichester Close
Court Farm Road
Cowdens Close
Cranmer Avenue
Downsview
Farmway Close
Greenleas
Hangleton Lane
Hangleton Manor Close
Hangleton Valley Drive
Hangleton Way
Honey Croft
Lynchets Crescent
Meads Avenue
Meads Close
Meyners Close
Nevill Avenue
Nevill Road
Northfield Rise
Park Close
Pipers Close
St Helens Crescent
St Helens Drive
Stonecroft Close
Sylvester Way
The Down
The Meadows
Warenne Road
Mile Oak
Anvil Close
Applesham Way
Avery Close
Badger Close
Beech Close
Beechers Road
Benfield Close
Benfield Crescent
Benfield Way
Blackthorn Close
Brackenbury Close
Brasslands Drive
Broomfield Drive
Burlington Gardens
Burlington Parade
Bush Cottage Close
Bush Farm Drive
Chalky Road
Chrisdory Road
Clover Way
College Close
Cornford Close
Crest Way
Croft Drive
Deacons Drive
Dean Close
Dean Gardens
Delfryn
Downsview Road
Drove Crescent
Drove Road
Drovers Close
Easthill Drive
Easthill Park
Easthill Way
Edgehill Way
Elder Close
Fairfield Gardens
Fairway Crescent
Farm Close
Flint Close
Foredown Close
Foredown Drive
Foredown Road
Forge Close
Foxhunters Road
George Williams
Mews Gorse Close
Graham Avenue
Graham Close
Graham Crescent
Hamilton Close
Hangleton Lane
Harebell Drive
Hawthorn Way
Hayes Close
Hazel Close
Heathfield Crescent
Heathfield Drive
Helena Close
Henge Way
High Close
High Street
Highlands Road
Highways
Hillbank Close
Hillcroft
Hillside
Horizon Close
Juniper Close
Langridge Drive
Locks Crescent
Locks Hil
Lodge Close
Lucerne Close
Manor Road
Maplehurst Road
Meadow Close
Melrose Avenue
Mile Oak Gardens
Mile Oak Road
Mill Close
Mill Lane
Millcross Road
Monarchs View
New Barn Close
New England Rise
Newtimber Drive
North Close
North Lane
North Road
Nursery Close
Oakdene Avenue
Oakdene Close
Oakdene Crescent
Oakdene Gardens
Oakdene Rise
Oakdene Way
Old Shoreham Road
Overdown Rise
Park Close
Ridge Close
Robins Row
Romany Close
Rowan Close
Sefton Road
Sharpthorne Crescent
Sheepbell Close
Sheppard Way
Sidehill Drive
South Street
Southdown Road
Southon Close
Stanley Avenue
Stanley Avenue South
Stonery Close
Stonery Road
Sycamore Close
Teg Close
The Crossway
The Parks
The Rise
The Sett
Thornbush Crescent
Thornhill Rise
Thornhill Way
Tophill Close
Truleigh Drive
Valerie Close
Valley Road
Village Close
Warrior Close
Westway Close
Westway Gardens
Wickhurst Close
Wickhurst Rise
Wickhurst Road
Windlesham Close
Winfield Close
Rottingdean and Ovingdean
Ainsworth Avenue
Ainsworth Close
Bazehill Road
Beacon Hill
Burnes Vale
Chailey Avenue
Challoners Close
Challoners Mews
Cliff Approach
Cliff Road
Court Farm Road
Court Ord Road
Cranleigh Avenue
Dean Court Road
Denes Mews
Dower Close
Eley Crescent
Eley Drive
Elvin Crescent
Falmer Road
Founthill Road
Gorham Avenue
Gorham Close
Grand Crescent
Greenways
Henley Road
High Street
Knole Road
Lenham Road
East Lenham Road West
Little Crescent
Longhill Close
Longhill Road
Lustrells Road
Marina Way
Marine Drive
Martyns Close
Meadow Close
Nevill Road
New Barn Road
Newlands Road
Northfield Rise
Northgate Close
Ovingdean Close
Ovingdean Road Park
Crescent Park Road
Park Terrace
Roedean Heights
Roedean Path
Roedean Terrace
Romney Road
Rowan Way
Royles Close
Sheepcote Valley
St Aubyns Mead
Steyning Road
The Cliff
The Green
The Park
The Ridings
The Rotyngs
The Twitten
The Vale
Vicarage Lane
Vicarage Terrace
Wanderdown Close
Wanderdown Drive
Wanderdown Road
Wanderdown Way
Welesmere Road
West Street
Westmeston Avenue
Whipping Post Lane
Whiteway Lane
Wilkinson Close
Wilson Avenue
Woodland Walk
Woodingdean
Baywood Gardens
Channel View Road
Downland Close
Downland Road
Downsway
Downsview Avenue Farm Hill
Ivor Road
Helena Road
Hillview Road
Holtview Road
Hylden Close
Mcwilliam Road
Midway Road
Rosebery Avenue
Seaview Road
Warren Avenue
Warren Close
Warren Rise
Vernon Avenue
Saltdean
Abbotsbury Close
Arundel Drive East
Arundel Drive West
Chichester Drive East
Chichester Drive West
Chiltington Close
Chiltington Way
Effingham Close