What is the point of the 20 limit?

[bensherman]

So many streets in Southport now have the 20 limit, I have to wonder if it has been worth implementing.
I live at the Aughton Road end of Talbot Street and on both Aughton Road and Talbot Street I see the speed limit not just slightly transgressed, but absolutely ignored.
I have tried to interest the police and the safety partnership to enforce it but after two years have to assume they don't intend to.

[ChrisR]

I fully agree, I used to live at the Blowick end of Sussex Rd, all vehicles exceeded the 20 mph limit. I now live off Preston New Road. The road is a race track.
Can the police actually do anything about drivers speeding in excess of 20 mph or is it just the local authority just imposing it?

[MICK/GILLY]

In some places like Birkdale village and back streets near schools the 20mph limit makes sense but putting the restriction on other roads that there is no obvious danger seems difficult for most to comprehend so much so that they ignore it thinking nobody cares one way or the other and that most people think the whole scheme is just a waste of metal, paint and time making and installing those little 20mph signs.

[Alikado]

It's the Government not the Local Authorities imposing the 20mph limits but of course not providing the funding to enforce. Just think ourselves lucky, one option for Southport was to make the WHOLE TOWN 20mph, it would have saved a lot of money only requiring signs at half a dozen points!

[said]

So many streets in Southport now have the 20 limit, I have to wonder if it has been worth implementing.
I live at the Aughton Road end of Talbot Street and on both Aughton Road and Talbot Street I see the speed limit not just slightly transgressed, but absolutely ignored.
I have tried to interest the police and the safety partnership to enforce it but after two years have to assume they don't intend to.

I think you must be mistaken - all drivers driving across Southport do so at speeds of 20mph or less. You must have been walking faster that's all!

[grassroots]

The 20ph is not enforceable, police budgets have been cut . So ultimately we are relying on drivers showing some responsibility, by I'm not holding my breath.
Two years ago I was done for speeding on the A 570 in Scarisbrick, I opted to attend a speed awareness course and was amazed at the info and stats given . It certainly made me think of speed on the roads .

[jonnybgood]

I thought all those 20mph limits were meant for cyclists ? As some of them cycle at more than 20mph,and I HAVE been overtaken by a couple of cyclists when I was driving at 20mph,one was down Virginia St,and the other was down Portland St.........And who could have stopped safer and quicker at that speed ?

[Knot wright]

"one option for Southport was to make the WHOLE TOWN 20mph, it would have saved a lot of money only requiring signs at half a dozen points!"

and spend the saved dosh on dinner parties , jobs for the boys and throw in some speed ramps to say we are thinking of your safety , vote for me !!

[justbecause]

I think the real problem with the 20MPH roads is that, in the main, they have been made indiscriminately by Sefton Councillors who have historically persecuted the motorist. If the 20’s had been introduced in the correct places, outside Schools, play areas and the likes, the majority of motorists would quite happily abide by them, but when whole estates and areas are just blanketed with 20MPH, drivers won’t respect them. There are now more 20’s and 30’s in Southport now, the majority, on totally inappropriate roads.

[silver fox]

I fully agree, I used to live at the Blowick end of Sussex Rd, all vehicles exceeded the 20 mph limit. I now live off Preston New Road. The road is a race track.
Can the police actually do anything about drivers speeding in excess of 20 mph or is it just the local authority just imposing it?

A couple of points PNR isn't a 20 mph limit and I use PNR regularly have only rarely seen a hint of this race track, there will always be some who drive as if pursued by the hounds from hell, but that is not the norm by any means.

Certainly accept that the 20 mph limits are largely ignored, mainly because of the utterly pointless way they are set up, I live in a totally residential area, most drivers drive accordingly, with or without the signs or enforcement.

[bensherman]

The 20ph is not enforceable, police budgets have been cut . So ultimately we are relying on drivers showing some responsibility, by I'm not holding my breath.
Two years ago I was done for speeding on the A 570 in Scarisbrick, I opted to attend a speed awareness course and was amazed at the info and stats given . It certainly made me think of speed on the roads .

I also did one a few years ago.
There were some impressive arguments about (for example) the difference in driving at 40 instead of 30. The reduced reaction times of all involved, and the severity of impact are markedly affected,
Even more interesting was the other people on the course. Many felt aggrieved, either because they thought there was a "good reason" for them speeding, or because it "wasn't fair" from being caught at say 0700 .It's interesting how people who are very vocal about enforcement of the law generally make an exception for themselves.

[Little Londoner]

A couple of points PNR isn't a 20 mph limit and I use PNR regularly have only rarely seen a hint of this race track, there will always be some who drive as if pursued by the hounds from hell, but that is not the norm by any means.

Certainly accept that the 20 mph limits are largely ignored, mainly because of the utterly pointless way they are set up, I live in a totally residential area, most drivers drive accordingly, with or without the signs or enforcement.

PNR like SNR and Liverpool Rd used to have 40 mph on them for a certain length. I certainly don't remember carnage occurring in the 40's the only people we have to thank for the 20's are the cycling idiot and the half wits who want to do their own thing no matter what the limit is.

[said]

PNR like SNR and Liverpool Rd used to have 40 mph on them for a certain length. I certainly don't remember carnage occurring in the 40's the only people we have to thank for the 20's are the cycling idiot and the half wits who want to do their own thing no matter what the limit is.

And when you do manage to get above second gear - you have to negotiate the arrogant lycra clad louts who CHOOSE to cycle along the coast road instead of the cycle paths allocated to them.

[rare-pepe999]

And when you do manage to get above second gear - you have to negotiate the arrogant lycra clad louts who CHOOSE to cycle along the coast road instead of the cycle paths allocated to them.

They claim it is the councils fault for using the wrong surface on the cycle paths. It doesnt work well with their tyres.

[said]

They claim it is the councils fault for using the wrong surface on the cycle paths. It doesnt work well with their tyres.

Nope! The surface is fine, but there are tree roots that can be a problem if you are not watching. It is the LCL's fault - he either chooses a bike that he can use on all surfaces as a commuter, or he chooses a bike for racing only. It depends on the reason why a cycle is needed. Many roads are unsuitable for racing on and those that are used should be closed off to other road users. Those practicing for races should choose less busy roads - in particular, consideration should be given to the new passing distances that motorists have been given for cyclists.

Would formula one cars race along roads where normal traffic flows - I think not! There are allocated areas for those who wish to take part in racing!