FREEHOLD residents have tentatively welcomed plans to introduce a 20mph speed limit on the area's streets. Despite a major programme of traffic calming measures, residents claim that cars are still speeding along Derwent Road and that Ullswater Road often gets gridlocked. The 20mph limit, which will be a first in Lancaster, is one of a number of ideas being explored by the council's transportation group in a bid has been asked for by ward councillor, Ian Barker, who said: "I am sure residents would welcome a 20mph limit and additional measures to slow down traffic. There is heavy pressure from through traffic on residential streets that were not intended for the motor car. There is strong local support for traffic calming but it is clear that the measures that we introduced last year are not working well enough - we need to supplement them."

Other measures being looked at include new speed humps on Derwent Road and Borrowdale Road and a review of parking near the shops on Ullswater Road. Cllr Barker added: "It is clear from our experience and from national studies that speed humps are far more effective than chicanes in slowing down traffic. The bus operators do not like humps. However, I do not think their opposition should be decisive. Our consultations with them should focus on the best design for use on bus routes."

Dr John Whitelegg of the Freehold Residents Association gave a tentative welcome to the scheme but added that it would not help the cause of the problem.

He said: "A 20mph limit is great but how are they going to enforce the limit? Everyone knows that most speed limits are broken everyday. What will really help protect young kids and the elderly is a barrier to through traffic. At the moment its gone from bad to very bad and something needs to be done."

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