VILLAGERS are the leading force behind a 20mph campaign that has led to Hampshire County Council proactively considering speed restrictions in residential roads and villages.

In June last year villagers were up in arms when Hampshire County Council (HCC) refused to lower the speed limit through North Waltham.

The council said that reducing the limit to 20mph through the village, to the south west of Basingstoke, would require costly traffic calming measures.

SEE MORE: Council is still refusing to lower speed limit in this village to 20mph

At the time campaigners described this decision as "scandalous".

This was disappointing news to residents who had previously protested for urgent measures to slow traffic through the village.

North Waltham Speed and Safety Group have said that since then HCC's executive member, Cllr Rob Humby, has announced a review of 20mph zones, which is being carried out by the chairman and members of the environment, transport and economy select committee.

Councillor Rob Humby, executive lead member for economy, transport and environment at Hampshire County Council, said: “The Economy, Transport and Environment Select Committee agreed, on Thursday 27 January, to form a Task and Finish group – effectively a working party - to support the review I have commissioned into the current policy for 20 mph speed restrictions in Hampshire.

“New 20 mph zones and limits are currently restricted to address casualty reduction, but I have commissioned a review to determine whether there is merit in extending the scope for these measures, particularly to support changing travel patterns and improvements to air quality.  The review will focus on the evidence about whether such measures are effective and positively contribute to improving air quality and encouraging greater levels of walking and cycling, for example. 

"The Task and Finish group will work alongside officers conducting the review, will consider the evidence and are expected to report back to the Select Committee in September, which will in turn feed into my consideration of the review findings, and decisions on future policy later in the autumn.”

North Waltham's 20mph campaign has the support of residents, MP Kit Malthouse, Donna Jones, Hampshire’s police and crime commissioner, and Cllr Juliet Henderson.

Cllr Juliet Henderson, said: “Residents are hugely supportive of this move, and I am delighted that Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones is supporting this initiative. I am very grateful to the large number of residents—especially from North Waltham—who have contacted me about this pressing issue."

The campaign aims to create a cleaner and safer environment to support a better quality of life for all residents.

Cllr Henderson added: “We are encouraging walking and cycling as a Countywide Active Travel Strategy and lower speed limits encourage this.”

The campaign focuses on three important subjects including improving air quality which is a focus for HCC’s carbon reduction action plan, promoting more active lifestyles in line with HCC’s active travel planning, and protecting the safety of the North Waltham village.

Campaigners are particularly concerned about the few pavements in the village making a challenging road geometry for HGVs, agricultural and delivery vans.

READ MORE: 'Together we’ve saved the Oakdown trees': Campaigners declare victory

Hugo Ward, the man behind the protests in June, said: “I have two young children and I am terrified for their safety. Many of the village roads are single lane, there are few pavements.

"I find it scandalous that Hampshire County Council continues to refuse a 20mph restriction in the village—especially when 90 per cent of villagers support this.”

Hampshire County Council has been approached for comment.

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