A NEW 20mph throughout the centre of Romsey is being proposed by the town council. 

The town council has launched a survey to seek residents' views.

This comes after Hampshire County Council introduced a policy in January, enabling parishes and towns to introduce 20mph limits where specific criteria are met.

The survey's deadline is Sunday, March 24.

Daily Echo: Romsey town centre

Cllr John Critchley, chairman of the town council's planning committee, said: “We want to introduce the 20mph speed limit to make the town centre a calmer place. There are lots of narrow roads in the centre of Romsey, and residents have told us some traffic drives too fast. 

“We have assessed the situation and we feel this will be the best for the town centre. We think it will be a great benefit and create a more pleasant environment. 

“The town council wants to introduce this. I would like to see it introduced by the end of the year. The main thing for me is that we have had so many residents tell us about the speed of the cars. It would make the town centre a better place to be.”

Daily Echo: Proposed streets for 20mph speed limit

Cllr Critchley recalled an incident where a child was hit by the wing mirror of a car in Cherville Street. He said: “I hope people support the proposal.”

Te introduction to the survey said: “Over the years, we have had many comments and complaints about traffic and safety in the town centre and the older parts of the town, but we have been unable to do anything about it because HCC would not allow 20mph speed limits.

“Although this is strictly a HCC matter, they are passing all the costs onto parishes and towns. Romsey Town Council can finance the proposed scheme without increasing the precept (council tax). HCC will have to approve our proposal and will design and implement the scheme. RTC’s funding for this does not affect things like pothole repairs because these are funded separately by other authorities and budgets.

“The 20mph limit will be supported by extra signage at the boundary roads, illuminated speed limit reminder signs, and additional infrastructure in various places.”

For more information about the survey, visit romseytc.org.uk/20.html

The town council is proposing 20mph speed limits for: The Abbey, Abbey Water, Banning Street, Bell Street, The Brewery, Broadwater Road, Cherville Street, Church Lane, Church Road, Church Street, Duttons Road, Greatbridge Road (south of the junction with Duttons Road), The Harrage, Holman Drive, The Hundred, Jubilee Road, Latimer Street, Linden Road, Little Meads, Love Lane, The Meads, Middlebridge Street, Mill Lane, Millstream Rise, Newton Lane, Palmerston Street, Pembroke Close, Portersbridge Street, Priestlands, Princes Road, Rivermead Close, Riverside Gardens, Station Road, and any other mews and closes off these.