David Wilkins

Twenty’s plenty - or so they say. The place where I live, the small cathedral city of Ely in Cambridgeshire, is implementing a blanket 20 mph speed limit, which is being rolled out over the next few weeks. Supporters of the change outnumbered opponents by about two to one when a consultation exercise was held last year. Where the signs are already up, as here on the main road next to the street where I live, motorists seem to be happily observing the new limit.

#Ely #dwprovincialbritain

Mar 15, 2024 at 5:42pmWeb
Show threadStewart SimsMar 15, 2024
@davidwilkins you'd be lucky to be doing more than 20 on average in most parts of Ely with the traffic these days! Joking aside I don't think 20 limits in town & city centres are too much of a problem. I visited Wales just after they implemented the change there and everyone just seemed to be sticking to the limit and getting on with their lives.
Show threadDavid WilkinsMar 15, 2024
@stew_sims True - and it’s a small place anyway, so the impact on journey times is minimal. The Express and the Mail and all that lot want to write up 20 limits as a ‘war on motorists’ story, but most people either aren’t bothered or are in favour. I think it’s mainly driven by safety but it’s also a quality of life thing when cars and drivers respect their surroundings.
Show threadIndyzign 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿Mar 15, 2024
@stew_sims @davidwilkins I don’t think that’s necessarily the case (about wales). Most people *seem* to oppose it, although are happy with it where it makes sense, such as schools etc. I would say, typically, <10% travel at 20mph, and I’ve yet to see a police car travelling less than 28mph
Show threadSteve CookMar 15, 2024
@davidwilkins I don't think 20MPH is as unpopular as some would have you believe. It's just that those that believe they should be allowed to hurtle about everywhere make the most noise.
Show threadRoss BurtonMar 15, 2024
@davidwilkins it’s going to take a while to get used to Downham Road at 20 but in the town and most residential streets that was the maximum speed most of the time anyway!