A ROAD safety charity has called on a 20mph limit to be introduced as a default maximum speed in urban areas.

Brake said it wanted unnecessary barriers faced by local councils to be removed so 20mph limits could deliver safer walking and cycling.

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Lancashire County Council has already implemented 20mph zones in ‘suitable residential roads’ and Blackburn with Darwen Council is running a 20mph trial project in the Mill Hill area of Blackburn before deciding its policy on the issue. The trial, which started around a year ago, has been extended for another 12 months.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s highways boss Cllr Phil Riley said: “We have a survey going on and it has to run for a period of time to get reliable data. From there we will then formulate our policy on whether we think 20mph zones are the best course of action.

“So far there has been a minor reduction in speeds, but its certainly not dramatic.”

The comments from Brake are in support of the Lancashire Telegraph’s Slower Speeds, Safer Children campaign which calls for 20mph zones to be introduced near homes, shops, and schools.

Dr Tom Fisher, research manager for Brake, said: “20mph limits are an effective and globally-recognised solution to unacceptably dangerous roads in our cities, towns, and villages. Ultimately, we would like to see 20mph become the default urban speed limit in the UK.”

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “Research shows 20mph zones can save lives. We have made it easier for councils to introduce them.”