Norfolk drivers caught speeding on 20mph roads revealed

Councillors believe the restrictions are being regularly flouted but that not enough is being done by officers to catch offending drivers.

However, the police have defended their tactics, saying they do not "routinely enforce" 20mph limits and zones, unless persistent speeding is reported.

And other councillors have defended this strategy, warning it would divert limited police resources from other areas if officers spent longer monitoring the zones.

Norfolk police have revealed how many drivers were fined for speeding in 20mph streets and zones (Image: Antony Kelly)

SPREAD OF 20MPH ZONES

The number of 20mph limits and 20mph zones has increased massively in recent years and there have been calls for more of them to be introduced in Norfolk.

Supporters say they improve safety for road users and pedestrians while also tackling air pollution.

However, the zones have prompted a backlash, with critics saying many schemes and unnecessary and make life harder for motorists.

Earlier this month ministers launched a crackdown on blanket 20mph zones and vowed to protect drivers from being treated as "cash cows", by authorities enforcing unfair restrictions.

Norfolk county councillor James Bensly (Image: Norfolk Conservatives)

CALL FOR MORE ENFORCEMENT

The issue of enforcement was raised at a recent meeting of Norfolk County Council's people and communities committee.

Conservative chairman James Bensly agreed to write to the police raising concerns over what the force was doing to monitor 20mph zones and catch speeders.

Following the meeting, Norfolk police confirmed 75 offences had been recorded on county roads with 20mph limits and within 20mph zones between January last year and March 14 this year.

The force said 22 of those resulted in fixed penalty notices of £100 fines for drivers, plus three points on their licences.

Others resulted in actions such as educational courses or disqualification, depending on the driver.

Green county councillor Jamie Osborn (Image: Jamie Osborn)

Jamie Osborn, the Green county councillor who raised concerns over the scale of enforcement in the council meeting, said the figures showed the need for more action from police.

"It is very disappointing that the police took action on barely a fraction of the speeding offences that take place so regularly in 20mph zones," he said.

"The county council is rightly investing in 20mph areas to make sure residential areas are pleasant and safe places to live, but this investment needs to come alongside monitoring and enforcement to make sure the speed limits are stuck to.

"Stopping speeding can save lives, especially children's lives. Speeding in 20mph zones is a serious problem and people often say it makes them scared to let their children walk or cycle to school, and that it puts elderly people and cyclists at risk."

He highlighted the fact that seven cyclists had died on Norfolk's roads over the past year, although none were in 20mph limits.

WHAT DO THE POLICE ENFORCE?

Department for Transport guidance states successful 20mph zones and 20mph speed limits should be "generally self-enforcing" and there "should be no expectation on the police to provide additional enforcement beyond their routine activity".

Part of Unthank Road in Norwich has a 20mph limit (Image: Denise Bradley)

A police spokeswoman said: "Norfolk Constabulary will take a responsible and proportionate approach to enforcement of 20mph limits based on our assessment of risk to individuals, property and the seriousness of any breach.

"Police enforcement in 20mph limits and zones will not routinely take place but may be appropriate if there is clear evidence of significant non-compliance or injury collision history supports such action.

"Where drivers are regularly and wilfully breaking the law officers will enforce the limit and seek to prosecute offenders."

The force said education was also important, with Community Speed Watch volunteers using speed guns to encourage drivers to slow down.

Volunteers use speed guns to encourage drivers to slow down (Image: Antony Kelly)

Norfolk police stressed there was a difference between roads with 20mph limits and 20mph zones.

The force said 20mph zones, introduced by councils, normally have speed reduction measures, such as speed humps, in place.

They said if they were introduced without a traffic order, then the speed limit applicable and enforceable would be 30mph, despite the presence of 20mph signs, described by police as 'advisory'.

Norfolk police and crime commissioner Giles Orpen-Smellie (Image: Submitted)

Norfolk's police and crime commissioner Giles Orpen-Smellie sparked anger last year when he said many 20mph signs are merely advisory.

Simon Jones, Conservative district councillor for Hellesdon South East (Image: Simon Jones)

POLICE APPROACH BACKED

Conservative councillor Simon Jones, who represents Hellesdon South East on Broadland District Council, backed the police's approach to 20mph areas.

He said: "We have lots of residents who talk to us about speeding. We speak to our local police beat officers and, if there's a problem, they will go out and do checks.

"But when you think about how many roads there are, police do not have the resources to be constantly enforcing them all.

"Would residents want that, or would they want to see them dealing with crimes such as anti-social behaviour rather than standing on roads trying to catch drivers?"

WHAT DOES THE COUNCIL SAY?

A Norfolk County Council spokesperson said: "The council follows central government guidelines when determining and implementing speed limits on local roads in Norfolk.

"20mph speed limits are required by law to have an associated traffic order in place.

"This follows a legal process, which includes a public consultation for any legal changes to speed limits.

"In some cases advisory part-time 20mph speed limits are displayed, typically outside schools, to highlight additional dangers to drivers.

"We remind drivers of their responsibilities to drive with due care and attention, which includes driving at a speed appropriate to the environment and conditions, which may at times be lower than the speed limit."

Swaffham was earmarked to become Norfolk's first 20mph town (Image: Sonya Duncan)

A trial to make Swaffham Norfolk's first 20mph town started this year.

But campaigners branded the initial measures "laughable and ridiculous" after it was revealed only one road will see any changes.