LEADING Conservative politicians have argued here for more local taxpayers’ money to be spent on introducing 20 mph zones in those areas of the city where residents demand it. Whilst the international evidence shows reducing speeds can help prevent injury and road deaths, the evidence so far in the UK on 20 mph zones is less conclusive, especially where they are not accompanied by other effective enforcement and traffic calming measures.

The Director of Public Health’s annual report for 2014 points to a worrying trend in Southampton with a growing proportion of more serious injuries caused by road traffic accidents which rose from 10 per cent in 2000-02 to 16 per cent in 2010-12.

What we need are evidence-based solutions to arrest the trend of increased numbers of (mainly young) people killed or seriously injured on our roads and the necessary level of investment from our public health, police, fire and transport services to make this happen. 20 mph schemes may form part of the solution but not if they are done on the cheap as a party political gimmick.

Councillor David Shields, ADDRESS SUPPLIED