§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the trend of(a) fatalities and (b) serious injuries in traffic accidents in towns and cities over the last five years. [65637]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 1 July 2002]The provisional results for 2001 indicate that there were 1,409 deaths on roads in Britain with a speed limit of 40mph or less, which generally indicates they are in built-up areas. This was five less than in 2000 but more than in 1998 and 1999, and 61 (4.1 per cent.) less than in 1997. The number of serious injuries on such roads has reduced each year since 1997. The 22,742 serious injuries in 2001 was 14 per cent. less than in 1997.
§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent research he has carried out with regard to the potential costs and benefits of the use of 20 mph zones in urban areas; and if he will make a statement. [66626]
§ Mr. Jamieson[holding answer 2 July 2002]The financial cost of a 20mph zone is dependent on the size of the zone and the type of traffic calming measures implemented to achieve the desired speed reduction.
A TRL report, "Review of traffic calming schemes in 20mph zones" (TRL Report 215), published in 1996, found that the average annual accident frequency fell by around 60 per cent. Child pedestrian and child cyclist accidents fell by around 70 per cent. and 48 per cent. respectively. This gives an overall reduction of 67 per cent. for all child accidents.
In addition, a well designed 20mph zone can be instrumental in improving the quality of life for local people by protecting them from inappropriate speed.