All party backing for Haslemere Lib Dems' 20mph call

In November, the Town Council approved Lib Dem Cllr Terry Weldon’s motion in support of a 20mph speed limit in Lower Street, High Street and Weyhill.

As Terry said: "When I first came across the idea of 20mph limits, I was somewhat sceptical. However, the more I read of the evidence, the more I became convinced this is appropriate in many areas".

When knocking on doors while conducting Lib Dem surveys, Terry found that everyone he spoke to in Lower Street supported a lower limit. Our survey results also found clear backing for lower limits in some other parts of the town, although not everywhere.

Terry’s motion was given strong support by the Green and Independent councillors, alongside that of his Lib Dem colleagues - and there was even some Conservative backing.

The next step is for the town council to make a request to Surrey County Council, who are the highways authority, to undertake a consultation with a view to bringing in the suggested 20mph limits as the Town does not have the authority to go it alone.

Terry believes, based on what he heard at the Surrey Local Council AGM last Autumn, that the County are likely to respond favourably to such requests on routes where average speeds are, in any case, quite low.

Haslemere Lib Dems are delighted that progress is being made on this. We also acknowledge the great campaigning work on the issue done by the volunteers of Haslemere Active Travel and also Lower Street residents. They have worked hard to promote this policy which will improve road safety, help with climate change and make the local environment more pleasant.