Leeds 20mph zones

Leeds, like many residential areas within the UK, is introducing 20mph limits within more of its residential areas as part of a city-wide program. This is to help reduce road casualties, and to make our communities nicer places to live. As a city, we need to change behaviour and attitudes towards speed, so that 20mph is seen as the ‘norm’ within residential areas. 20mph limits are not implemented to inconvenience people, but to reduce speed in built up areas where children and other vulnerable road users are.

Aside from the proven safety benefits of 20mph speed limits, this is as much about encouraging people out of their cars, to lead more active lifestyles by walking and cycling. And reducing noise pollution can also have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of people living in these communities. Who wants to live in a place where there are high levels of traffic noise which can cause stress and discourage active travel? Are we likely to want to walk on or encourage our children to cycle or scoot to school along a noisy urban street?

So this is your chance to be a two-zero hero. Let’s work together as a city and make Leeds a nicer, healthier place to live, where children and families engage in active travel and communities can share the streets once again.

Find out more about the successful implementation of 20mph zones in the rest of the country https://www.ciht.org.uk/news/renewed-call-for-greater-spend-on-active-travel/