§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the use of the home zone sign in other European member states in reducing traffic casualties; and if he will make a statement. [24468]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe effectiveness of the "home zone" signs used in some EU member states depends on drivers observing very low speed limits (and being conditioned to give way to pedestrians). My Department has been working with local authorities on schemes and studies to reduce vehicle speeds in residential streets and shopping areas. Our experience in this country so far has been that signs by themselves do not reduce vehicle speeds to 20mph or below, and that other self-enforcing measures are needed. We have no plans at present to change primary legislation to introduce home zones but we think there is scope within the current legislation for further speed reducing measures to be applied.