Speed restrictions given the go-ahead by Calderdale Council will be enforced by police.

And drivers who flout the new 20mph rules will face action.

The pledge came from West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commission Mark Burns-Williamson who said police were well aware of the responsibilities.

The council voted in favour of the default speed limit in all residential areas last week in a bid to tackle road safety.

Mr Burns-Williams said: “I welcome the leadership shown by Calderdale Council, in taking decisive steps to address the comparatively high number of road casualties on its roads.

“As the Police and Crime Commissioner I will be working closely with Calderdale to support the implementation of its 20mph limits in all residential areas over the next three years.

“Road safety is an issue that has been included in the refreshed Police and Crime Plan. Speeding remains an issue of high concern for our police, particularly in residential areas and we must ensure that 20mph limits in Calderdale are enforced in an appropriate and proportionate way, finding local solutions to road safety issues.

“I would direct those concerned about enforcement to the guidance issued by ACPO (the Association of Chief Police Officers) late last year which provides newly-refreshed guidance on speed enforcement in 20mph areas.

“It recommends, amongst other things, that at speeds between 24-31mph a driver should be offered the option of attending a speed awareness course or a fixed penalty notice fine.

“Rest assured that the police consider enforcement of all speed limits which are clearly posted and with consideration of other priorities and demands on time.

“Of course enforcement is only one part of the jigsaw and we’ll be working with Calderdale to raise awareness and to educate drivers of these changes over the three year roll-out period.

“But as clearly stated in the ACPO guidance “deliberate high harm offenders will always be targeted and they will be prosecuted”.

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