Speed limits in residential areas in Calderdale will be cut to 20mph.

Calderdale Cabinet backed the move to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on the borough’s roads.

It is the first authority in West Yorkshire to make such a move - last year Kirklees Council ruled out a borough-wide approach and will instead consider 20mph restrictions on a case by case basis.

Calderdale’s 20mph bid will take three years to implement with £500,000 Public Health funding to support it.

It has been welcomed by campaign group 20’s Plenty For Us, its founder Rod King said: “We are delighted that Calderdale Council are taking this significant step to enhance their community streets.

“The benefits to community and public health from a calmer and more people oriented urban environment are widely recognised and it is encouraging to see the substantial role being played in engagement via Calderdale’s Public Health team.”

Already 30% of Calderdale’s residential roads have 20mph limits, including some in Elland and Stainland.

But the option not to implement 20mph zones outside schools was criticised.

Clr Scott Benton, Brighouse Conservative, said: “Less than 1% of residents took part in the consultation and we simply do not believe that the council has the legitimacy to introduce this policy given the apparent lack of support from the public.

“Road safety is one of the most important issues in all of our communities and we do support looking at the case to introduce 20mph speed limits in some areas.

“We held our own consultation in the autumn... our results suggested that whilst only half of people supported a 20mph speed limit in all areas, over 95% of residents supported 20mph limits outside all schools.”

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