Twenty's plenty - "we want speed limits, not spin"

10.58.02pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 22nd Mar 2007

Speed campaigners in Hampshire have reacted with anger to news that the Conservative-run County Council is planning to introduce no 20 mph speed limits near schools in the next 12 months, but will spend money on a P.R. campaign asking people to slow down instead.

Southampton City Council is already imposing 20mph limits outside all schools and Portsmouth City Council's scheme will do the same on most residential roads.

A recent Audit Commission report shows that Britain's roads are among the safest in the world for adults - but not for children. A child pedestrian in England is three times more likely to die on our roads than in Italy and twice as likely as in France.

Liberal Democrats across Hampshire are campaigning for more 20 mph zones near schools and in residential areas.

Liberal Democrats in Hampshire have been campaigning more 20 mph zones near schools and in residential areas. Martin Tod, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate in Winchester said "How can the Conservatives believe that spin can replace speed limits when it comes to saving children's lives? The level of accidents involving children is still too high. We want action to make residential areas safer for our children." Slower speed limits in residential areas and near schools are better for the environment, supported by most local people and safer for children. It's a disgrace that the Conservatives are blocking them.