More residents have opposed the new policy than backed it but Barnet Council is still going ahead, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Alan Schneiderman (inset right) has backed the new 20mph policy

Most residents responding to a public consultation on plans to introduce 20mph speed limits across Barnet have opposed the idea.

Alan Schneiderman, cabinet member for environment and climate change, said the 20mph policy was one of the “key ways” the council hoped to “improve road safety” as it geared up to implement the new speed limits.

However, in a public consultation that ran from July to August this year, Cllr Schneiderman admitted a “mixed response” was received from the 880 residents who took part.

The results showed 57% of respondents opposed the plan, while 37% expressed support and 5% neither supported or opposed, while 1% were unsure.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (18th), Cllr Schneiderman said: “Although there was narrowly more people opposing it than approving it, when you look at the views on the ‘neighbourhood-led’ approach, 60% of respondents agreed [with the approach], so I think that’s a vindication of the way we’ve chosen to do this – focusing on those areas where residents have identified there is a problem and a need.”

Support for the policy was highest in West Finchley, with 74% of residents supporting the plan. Cricklewood and Whetstone residents also showed support with 71% and 63% of respondents in those areas backing the policy.

Younger residents expressed stronger levels of support with the 25-34 and 35-44 age groups showing the “highest proportions” of “strongly agree” and “tend to agree”. In contrast, respondents “most notably” in the 65-74 age group “showed higher levels of opposition”.

Resident-led proposals for zones proved more popular than council-led, with 59% of respondents voting for a neighbourhood-led approach and only 33% a council-led one.

Following the discussion, the policy was approved by the cabinet, meaning neighbourhoods will now be able to put themselves forward for consideration for a 20mph zone.

A nomination form will soon be available on the council’s website which will also give advice on the degree of local support needed for schemes to be progressed. Proposed schemes will be assessed and the council will then make a formal decision.

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