Below is my Motion aiming to make a small additional number of Felixstowe’s central residential streets calmer and safer by investigating an extension of the existing 20mph zone, which has been in place successfully since 2010. The Motion passed 13:1 at Felixstowe Full Council on 05.03.25. Following normal procedure, roads under consideration are first surveyed to see if current use meets SCC Highway’s criteria for a 20mph limit. Roads so far confirmed for survey: Gainsborough, Felix, Quilter, Bath, Barton, Constable, Brownlow, Montague, Rosebery, Beach Road East. I’m waiting to hear about the need to survey up to five more adjoining roads. The cost of these surveys will be covered from my SCC councillor Highways Locality budget. This is just a brief update to counter any misinformation you may have heard on this important subject. I will give further details here next month and keep readers updated on progress.

“This Council recognises that private motor vehicle use is essential to most people’s day-to-day lives and also that of many businesses and this motion does not seek to restrict Felixstowe residents’ use or parking of their own vehicles within our town. This Council also recognises the detrimental effects that traffic speeds can have on road and pedestrian safety and the safe use of our roads by other, significantly safer, quieter and less polluting modes of transport.

With the aim of enabling safer, calmer streets the Council therefore seeks to pursue the idea of introducing a 20mph speed limit(s) within the central Conservation Area of the town. This will involve requesting SCC Highways to conduct traffic survey(s) within the Conservation Area where a 30mph limit currently exists, in order to determine the suitability and feasibility of creating a 20mph zone(s) and/or roads.

The Conservation Area of the town is suggested because it is a discrete and densely-populated residential area, with narrower streets and considerable on-street parking and where, on the whole, driving at 30mph is not especially beneficial, but where doing so is often hazardous and/or intrusive for residents and other road users. Calmer streets in these dense central areas will enhance many people’s safety and quality of life, without restricting vehicular access or traffic flows.”

• Vehicle stopping distance is almost halved at 20mph (12m) versus 30mph (23m) (The AA).

• The destructive potential of a vehicle travelling at 30mph is twice that of one at 20mph. (Brake – The Road Safety Charity).

• The fatality risk of a pedestrian hit by a car at 30mph is around 8% compared to only 1.5% at 20mph. (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents)

• Further info: https://www.20splenty.org/

Facebook: CllrSeamusB seamus.bennett@felixstowe.gov.uk seamus.bennett@suffolk.gov.uk