MOTORISTS could be forced to slow down to 20mph on all residential streets in Huddersfield.

Kirklees Lib Dems have proposed the radical move to make roads in the district safer. The centres of Honley and Meltham already have 20mph zones.

Earlier this year the Department of Transport announced changes which make it easier for councils to introduce the speed limit reductions.

Clr Christine Stanfield called on Kirklees Council to use the new powers across the district. The Lindley Lib Dem said: “Reducing the speed limit to 20mph in our residential roads will provide residents with a real choice in how they travel by removing the fear of fast traffic from community streets.”

hardupandfedup was blunt: “People can’t even stick to the 30mph speed limit, never mind a 20mph speed restriction and there are no police to enforce it.”

Birkbyproud saw yet another thin end of the wedge: “Slowly but surely the PC brigade are determined to make walking faster than travelling by car.

“Most accidents are caused by people not paying attention and not speed and I suspect those caused by excessive speed are due to the current 30mph limit being broken.”

In a forthright display of honesty Bacup said: “I really cannot see any sensible reason for opposing this measure, but it is necessary to ensure that enforcement takes place.

“The police will generally not do so – it never seems to become a priority for them.

“In the end, if the 20mph is consistently ignored, what protection will it offer? It would be nice if the councillors – in conjunction with local communities – mobilised people to put pressure on motorists regarding the speed limit as ‘voluntary’.”

Rutland wrote, quoting the story, ‘Clr Stanfield added that the radical change would benefit drivers. She said: “Financially, the motorist will save money, with less repair bills from wear and tear of their vehicle in the long-term.’”

“What a load of clap-trap. This is the same woman who advocated the speed humps on East Street, West Street and Cowrakes in Lindley and these things take their toll on your vehicle at 20mph never mind 30mph so I see no savings being made by going even slower in a lower gear.”