Shropshire Council's cabinet to consider 20mph limit in Shrewsbury’s Copthorne and Porthill

Councillors will be asked to agree that the proposals go out to consultation, with a view to introducing the 20mph zone for an initial period of up to two years, if there is public support.

A 20mph speed limit zone for Copthorne and Porthill was put forward as part of the proposed Liveable Neighbourhood Trials engagement exercise undertaken in the areas in late 2021. It received the most support (up to 85%) out of all the proposed measures the community were asked to provide feedback on.

If approved it would be implemented via a phased approach with the initial introduction of low-cost measures including signage and road markings and a community behaviour change campaign to encourage drivers over time to drive at an appropriate speed without excessive reliance by the council on enforcement by the police.

Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for active travel, said:

“The core aim of implementing a 20mph speed limit zone in Copthorne and Porthill would be to improve air quality, reduce overall traffic speeds in the area closer to 20mph, and to make the built environment safer and a more attractive place to walk and cycle.

“20mph speed limit zones are relatively widespread with more than 2,000 schemes in operation in England. There is overwhelming evidence that lower speeds result in fewer collisions and a reduced severity of injuries.”

It is envisaged that speeds across the area would be monitored as part of the pilot and would be used to inform whether further engineering measures are required to reduce vehicular speeds at problem sites.

Proposed Zone

The proposed 20mph speed limit zone for Copthorne and Porthill would cover the area within (and inclusive of) The Mount (A458) – from 55 metres west of its junction with Hafren Road), the whole length of Porthill Road (A488) and (but not including) Shelton Road. New Street had a 20mph speed limit order approved in April 2022.