SPEED limits in residential areas across a county could be cut to 20mph, following a successful pilot project.

Durham County Council chiefs today (Wednesday, October 29) indicated they were looking into the issue and proposals would be put before the executive cabinet soon.

Cabinet member Brian Stephens, the portfolio holder for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, told a full council meeting at Durham’s County Hall a policy review was under way and a report would be presented to the cabinet “in the near future”.

Anti-speeding campaigner Dennis Southwell, who had used the meeting’s public question time to lobby for 20mph limits in built up areas, welcomed the announcement.

“This is a very serious problem in communities,” Cllr Southwell, chairman of Belmont Parish Council, said.

“I took it as a positive input from the portfolio holder.”

There are currently just three 20mph zones across County Durham: in Ferryhill, Seaham and Gilesgate Moor, Durham City, within Cllr Southwell’s parish.

The Gilesgate Moor limit was introduced in 2007, against the advice of council traffic chiefs and the police.

Cllr Southwell, who campaigned for the change at the time, said it had been “partly successful” in that locals were observing the limit but outsiders were still using the route, along Willowtree Avenue through High Grange Estate, as a rat run.

He insisted 20mph limits were enforceable and accused the council of dragging its feet on the issue.

“Other councils in the North-East and elsewhere in the country have implemented 20mph speed limits in appropriate areas which are enforceable.

“Why has this council now fallen behind other councils?” he said.

Nationally, the ‘20’s Plenty’ network has been gaining support, arguing 20mph limits protect children’s safety, cut accidents, improve air quality and support local businesses.

There have been strong local campaigns in this region including in the Brinkburn Road area of Darlington and Bagby, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

The national road safety charity Brake wants all councils to adopt 20mph restrictions.