Drivers on emergency 999 calls have been told to mind their speed in 20mph areas – with some claiming it could cost lives.
Firefighters and paramedics have been told they should drive at no more than 40mph in streets affected by the new restrictions in Brighton and Hove city centre.
Bosses said it was purely guidance with emergency workers expected to judge their speeds according to driving conditions and time of day.
But firefighter unions said it would create extra pressure on those behind the wheel, while one MP said it could cost lives.
Steve Liszka, a Fire Brigades’ Union representative based at Preston Circus fire station, said: “It may be guidance but it all comes down to what happens if there’s a crash.
“Is the book going to be thrown at the driver?”
Emergency service vehicles travelling under blue lights are exempt from speed limits.
But after Brighton and Hove City Council introduced 20mph zones across 500 streets in the city centre earlier this month, a memo was sent to fire stations by bosses.
It said drivers should look to travel at no more than twice the speed limit in built up areas.
Drivers' guidance
A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said similar guidance issued to paramedics advised they should not drive at more than 20mph over the speed limit.
For both emergency services, this means that the recommended limit while on a 999 call in the new 20mph areas is 40mph.
Hove MP Mike Weatherley said: “I am quite happy to trust those who drive fire engines and ambulances to travel at a speed which is appropriate to the situation.
“An arbitrary change that might put lives at risk is a worry.”
Public safety
Mark Matthews, the borough fire commander for Brighton and Hove, said: “What we do not say is never travel at more than twice the speed limit.
“We expect our drivers to be professional in their driving. What they must do is judge the conditions and drive accordingly.
“Public safety is paramount.
“I do not expect 20mph limits to affect our response time but we will monitor them over the next few years.
“If there is an impact, then that needs to be addressed.”
Rolled out limits
A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: “It’s up to the staff to justify their actions. People are not going to be being hauled over the coals for going 20mph over.”
The 20mph restrictions were introduced on April 8 and are set to be rolled out across the rest of Brighton and Hove in the next couple of years as it looks to increase safety and reduce air pollution.
Campaigners in Worthing, Lewes and Chichester are also calling for the limits.
A Sussex Police spokesman said it did not have a specific direction for emergency driving in 20mph zones.
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