Milton Keynes Council will on Tuesday 20 th November agree a radical change in approach to estate roads. All new estate roads will have 20 mph speed limits.

The decision will be taken by Cabinet member for Public Realm Cllr Martin Gowans. He will make the Delegated Decision and start a fundamental change in how speed limits will operate across the new cities estate roads.

Cllr Martin Gowans, Cabinet member for Public Realm said, “This is a fundamental change for Milton Keynes. All new estates will have 20 mph speed limits. It will apply to all estate roads on new estates. So as the new city grows new communities will be built with the 20 mph as a central feature of the estate roads.“

The Councils introduction of 20mph restrictions in residential areas will bring benefits to

• Road safety
• Increasing the levels of active travel
• Lowering traffic speeds
• Reducing air and noise pollution levels
• Increasing the quality of life and ‘shared space’
• Improving the importance of a sense of ‘place’ and perceptions of greater safety by residents

Cllr Gowans added “I am proposing to support the use of 20mph limits and 20mph zones in New residential areas.”

The second part of the decision allows older estates to move to 20mph speed limits. But only where there is clear majority resident support for its introduction.

Cllr Gowans concluded, “We are focusing primarily on new estates, but older communities where there is majority support can apply for 20 mph road restrictions. These changes will fundamentally change Milton Keynes estate roads for the future and bring real benefits.”