Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has recognised that the safety of Basingstoke roads must be made a priority.

Cllr Sean Dillow (Conservative) recently launched a campaign to appeal for the speed limits on roads across the borough to be reviewed.

Since then Hampshire County Council have formed a task force to review 20mph zones.

SEE MORE: 'I was very pleased': Councillor's delight as review into 20mph speed zones begin

The group, made up of eight councillors, will examine whether existing zones should remain, and which areas need the reduced speed limits.

Cllr Sean Dillow called on councillors to make Basingstoke roads a priority, reducing speed limits outside schools, during a council meeting on Monday (February 28).

The motion was supported unanimously with just two abstains.

He said: “Winklebury residents have told me that they are worried, worried about their children being killed on our roads. A reduction to 20mph by our schools could make the difference between a hit or a miss.

“The stopping distance of an average car at 30mph is 23 metres that is six car lengths, the stopping distance at 20 is just 12 metres that’s just three car length.

“A recent study found that 21 per cent of motorists were over the speed limit passing a school just up the road in Maidenhead. 83,000 drivers passed the school meaning over 17,000 were over the 30mph speed limit and that was just in a two-week period.

“Children don’t have the best road safety awareness and can run out frequently. I am asking for this chamber to make Basingstoke roads a priority.”

Councillors were supportive of the motion but shared concerns about how speed limits would be enforced.

Cllr Andy Konieczko from the Liberal Democrat group said that if changes are made “we must ensure they are enforced” and called for a review of the roads in six months.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Labour group didn’t seem so concerned with the statement and said, “enforcement is easy”.

He added: “You can enforce the speed limits with fines and number plate recognition that would really not be a problem.”

READ MORE: Senior councillors criticise council for not investing enough into the Aquadrome

By approving the motion councillors agreed to support the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner in tackling traffic issues and to work with Hampshire County Council to ensure that it makes it a priority to review and reduce the speed limits across Basingstoke.

Cllr Paul Harvey (Independent group) said the priority should not just be outside schools.

He added: “I respect the motion but it isn’t just related to schools where this is important, but it is in many residential roads where 20mph limits would make a huge difference.

“It must be broadened not just where our residents shout.”

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