Covid-19: Walking and Cycling Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Covid-19: Walking and Cycling

Baroness Boycott Excerpts
Monday 8th June 2020

(4 years, 5 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Boycott Portrait Baroness Boycott (CB) [V]
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My Lords, I too welcome the Government’s initiative to encourage us to cycle—it is so important for health and for the environment—but a lot of cycling accidents happen because of speed. Will the Government consider making it mandatory for all urban areas to have a 20 mph speed limit, as many parts of England and some London boroughs already do?

Baroness Vere of Norbiton Portrait Baroness Vere of Norbiton [V]
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My Lords, local authorities already have the power to set 20 mph speed limits on their roads. The department has published guidance designed to make sure that speed limits are appropriately and consistently set. We do not support a blanket introduction of 20 mph speed limits, because they may not be appropriate in certain circumstances or for all roads and in all cities.