20mph Speed Limits Coming To Chichester

20mph signs and road markings are appearing around Chichester ahead of every residential street in the town adopting the new speed limit this summer.

West Sussex County Council has introduced the lower speed limit for every residential street – except A and B roads – to encourage walking and cycling and make residents feel safer.

The change was also made to make the streets quieter and boost Chichester’s economy, with people more likely to use local shops rather than travelling out of town.

West Sussex County Council’s Principal Communities Officer, Greg Ockwell, said:

“Most people feel safer in a 20mph limit, and find it easier to cross the road, ride bikes or play outside.

“A 20mph limit also encourages more considerate driving, particularly for short trips, which makes for quieter streets and an environment where neighbours are more likely to get to know each other.

“When people feel the roads are safer, they are much more likely to cycle or walk to work, school, the doctors or local shops, reducing congestion and pollution.”

The County Council made the decision to reduce the speed limit to 20mph after an extensive consultation with Chichester residents last year.

Of 5,613 residents who responded in the summer of 2012, three out of every four supported the move to a 20mph speed limit.

Martin Reed, owner of City Cycles in Bognor Road, Chichester, said: “This has to be the best idea that the council has supported in a long time.

“We back it 100 per cent.

“Unfortunately Chichester is too built up to create priority cycle routes – the next best thing is to slow the traffic down and make the roads safer.”