For our next meeting, Hereford Civic Society has invited Rod King, founder and campaign director of 20’s Plenty For Us and transport/street design expert Professor John Whitelegg. They will set out the case for an urban speed limit of 20mph.

By way of background, in March 2020, Hereford City Council and Herefordshire Council separately passed motions to ask the executive to progress the introduction of area-wide 20mph speed limits across Herefordshire’s towns and major villages.

During the initial coronavirus pandemic, temporary 20mph speed limits were introduced in some areas but subsequently, reverted to 30mph.  

In October 2021, a 20mph limit was introduced on the A44 and adjacent roads in Pembridge.

Hundreds of local authorities in England and Wales have already introduced 20mph zones, particularly in residential areas. 

In the London Borough of Merton with a population of 211,000, greater than the whole of Herefordshire’s, all but four roads are 20mph. 

On the Monmouth-Chepstow road, it is 20mph when travelling through Tintern – their local authority a step ahead of the Welsh Government’s plan to introduce legislation in 2023 to introduce a limit of 20mph on all urban and village roads throughout the principality. Scotland similarly by 2025.

It is an open meeting. A Q&A session will follow the presentation so the opportunity for those with doubts/reservations on a universal 20mph speed limit in urban areas to question the speakers. 

All are welcome. Location: Left Bank in Bridge Street, Hereford. Date: Thursday, July 21st. The lecture will start promptly at 7.30pm. Entry: no charge.

David Fowler
Chairman
Hereford Civic Society