NEW 20mph limits across Southampton’s residential areas have been welcomed after years of campaigning.

Some 14 areas across Southampton will be the subject of new limits in a bid to make the areas roads “safer and more pleasant”.

Among the locations in the announcement were parts of Bassett and the Flowers Estate, where the news has been welcomed after years of “near misses” and vehicles “roaring up the road”.

Christine Maros, 52, of Carnation Road in the Flowers Estate, and has been calling for traffic to be slowed.

Daily Echo: 20mph limits in built up areas

She told the Echo she is “very pleased” but wants to see what happens next. But she said the council move would make “life better for local people”.

“There is a lot of children and young families here,” she said.

“It’s so scary. People are using these roads to beat the traffic. I started this campaign and its been going for many years.

“It’s a great thing that the council are finally doing something about it. Since we have done this I have noticed other areas have said they want a 20mph limit.”

Discussions are taking place about raised tables and give way priority passing on Lebelia Road. The road at Cantell School is already closed at peak times.

READ MORE: The 14 areas set to get 20mph limits in Southampton announced

Other areas that are set to get 20mph limits are in Bassett West, Hollybrook and Hospital, St Mark’s, Freemantle and Shirley, Polygon and Banister, the city centre, Highfield and Portswood South, Highfield and Portswood North, St Denys, Woolston and Itchen, Peartree North, Bitterne Park, Townhill Park, and Sholing.

Consultations on the schemes will take place with the limits due to be put in over the next two years using £1m funding. Requests were received from 47 groups.

But Swaythling ward councillor, Lorna Fielker, said: “It is disappointing that the other traffic calming measures for the area have not addressed the significant road safety issues at Bassett Green School.”

Cllr Jeremy Moulton, Deputy Council Leader, said: “As we look ahead, it sets a clear precedent that will see 20mph limits become the norm for our city’s residential streets.”

The first of the formal consultations – for Bassett East and the Flowers Estate – will open on February 18.