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Wokingham Pushes Ahead With 20mph Limits Despite Local Opposition

The council says road-safety evidence plus DfT guidance justify the lower limits on the Woodley–Reading active travel route.

Overview

  • Despite consultation results showing about 69% overall opposition, Wokingham Borough Council will introduce 20mph limits in parts of Woodley and Earley.
  • Roadworks are scheduled to start next week, with the rollout of new 20mph areas expected to take 12 to 18 months.
  • The council leader, Stephen Conway, said consultations are not votes and that evidence on safety and national guidance must carry weight.
  • Critics, including former council leader Keith Baker, argue the consultation was a tick-box exercise and say residents’ views were disregarded.
  • Context from national reporting indicates roughly a third of UK roads now carry 20mph limits, affecting an estimated 19.1 million residents.