RESULTS showing a fall in accidents in the first area of Preston to receive a widespread 20mph limit have been welcomed at a meeting of Lancashire County Council’s Full Council. 

Councillors heard that casualties on the Larches estate have reduced since the 20mph-signed scheme was established in September 2010. 

For the three years before the 20mph limits were introduced the total number of casualties across the Larches estate was 12, with 2 serious injuries and 10 slight. In the 20 months since, only 1 slight casualty has been recorded. 

The results were announced by County Councillor Michael Green Cabinet member for Highways & Transport, Economic Development and Planning, following a question from Larches representative County Councillor Mark Jewell about the impact of the pilot schemes. 

Department for Transport research estimates that a child hit by a car at 30mph is seven times more likely to die than a child hit at 20mph. 

Neighbourhood police supported the new limit in the Larches by holding a School Road Watch operation this summer. After police stopped speeding motorists, local schoolchildren spoke to them about the possible consequences of their actions on young lives. 

County Councillor Jewell, added: “These results are very encouraging and show that the work which Lancashire County Council has been doing locally to introduce the 20mph limits is having a real impact. 

“Nobody likes people speeding past their own front door and most traffic on the estate is created by people who actually live here. It is down to all local residents to observe the 20mph limits and make our streets even safer. 

“We’re keen to make the Larches a safer place, particularly for the benefit of parents who want their children to be able to play out, visit friends or get to school safely.”

You can see County Councillor Mark Jewell pose his question and the response at Council Question Time here