A public consultation into the proposed 20 mile per hour speed limit in most of Thatcham launches on Thursday (October 16).
A public consultation on a proposed 20mph speed limit in Thatcham starts on Thursday, October 16.
The council aims to reduce speed limits on many residential roads and cul-de-sacs in the town.
This consultation will run from 8am on October 16 to midnight on November 5.
A four-page plan detailing the roads marked in blue for the new speed limit has been published.
Residents are encouraged to share their views through the survey link on the council's website, though emails and letters are also accepted.
The 20mph limit has already been implemented in Theale and parts of Newbury, where it was trialled to evaluate its effectiveness across West Berkshire.
However, in Theale, less than 1% of residents participated in the consultation, with only 54 responses received: 26 in favour, 22 against, and six neutral.
Some locals expressed concerns that without proper enforcement, the new limits may not be respected, while others worried about potential fines.
The council's previous assessments indicated an area-wide approach to speed limits would be more effective than responding to individual requests.
They believe this method will help reset driver expectations of speed limits.
It's important to note that the proposal does not suggest a blanket reduction of the default 30mph limit, as seen in Wales.
Thames Valley Police have stated that they will not enforce the new limits beyond their regular activities.
The council believes speed limits should be “self-enforcing,” but additional measures may be needed if compliance is not met, which would require extra funding.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
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