COUNTY leader Jenny Mein last night green-lighted the roll-out of 20mph limits across the rest of the authority’s residential roads in a U-turn days after the Lancashire Telegraph launched its ‘Slower Speeds, Safer Children’ campaign.

Her decision to lift the brake, applied after Labour took control, piles pressure on Blackburn with Darwen’s Labour leader Kate Hollern to bring the life-saving policy to the borough.

Coun Mein’s decision means remaining 20mph schemes across the county will go ahead as she examines whether extra traffic-calming measures are added.

Before our campaign launch, she was ‘reviewing’ the evidence before authorising the remaining 35 in East Lancashire.

Last night, she said that after examining the results the programme would be completed by the end of the year.

This includes 11 schemes in Hyndburn, seven in Burnley, four in Pendle, ten in Rossendale and three in Ribble Valley.

The move was hailed as a victory for the Telegraph by county Tory opposition leader Geoff Driver, Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle and borough Liberal Democrat leader David Foster.

Our campaign, prompted by Blackburn with Darwen’s nationwide highest figure for children killed and seriously injured on its roads, called for 20mph speed limits on all East Lancashire residential roads with associated safety measures. It uncovered Coun Mein’s secret decision to pause the county programme, demanded she press ahead and urged coun Hollern to introduce a blanket 20mph residential limit.

Coun Foster said: “I hope that Kate Hollern will follow Jenny Mein’s example and bring this life-saving policy to our residential streets.”

Mr Birtwistle said: “This is great news. It shows that the Lancashire Telegraph has done a fantastic job. I now hope that Blackburn with Darwen will follow suit.”

Coun Mein said: “I have looked at the status of the 20mph programme and agreed that work should continue on the schemes that the council has already approved and budgeted for. The safety of all road users, particularly children, is extremely important to us.”

Coun Driver said: “I am delighted that common sense has prevailed. The entire programme for residential streets in the Lancashire county area has been agreed and budgeted for. I hope that Blackburn with Darwen will pay attention ”

Blackburn with Darwen’s highways boss Maureen Bateson said: “We are piloting an area in Mill Hill which will be fully evaluated.”

Aims of the campaign

THE Lancashire Telegraph’s 20 Is Plenty campaign aims to change the attitude to driving in East Lancashire by persuading Blackburn with Darwen Council to:

  • Take a strategic decision to introduce 20mph speed limit zones in all residential areas and near schools over five years, supported by signs and appropriate physical traffic management measures
  • Announce a programme to roll out the 20mph zones within five years starting with a pilot this summer
  • Pledge to improve road safety education for schoolchildren, especially primary pupils
  • Commit with Lancashire Police and county council to make speed
  • awareness courses available to all motorists convicted of breaking 20mph limits
  • Educate motorists of the dangers of driving above 20mph in residential areas,  changing driver psychology and empowering safe drivers