The second phase of a 20mph speed limit will be rolled out in Brighton and Hove today as part of the council’s campaign for safer streets.

Legally enforceable 20mph speed limits will now be in force across large stretches of the city, in a follow-up to the initial roll- out last April.

New signposts and road markings will be in place. The changes will be enforced in areas such as Preston Park, Portslade, Whitehawk, Moulsecoomb and Coldean.

Lead councillor for transport Ian Davey said: “We’ve seen traffic speeds fall and fewer colli- sions and serious injuries where we’ve introduced lower speed limits in the past.

“With this second phase we are continuing to introduce slower traffic speeds where peo- ple said they wanted them.

“Within a few years slower speeds and other road safety measures will have helped make
Brighton and Hove a safer, more peaceful and pleasant place to live, work and visit.”

Council statistics from the first phase of speed limits intro- duced to the city centre in 2013 has shown a decrease in traffic speeds on 74% of roads – the number and severity of collisions and casualties have also fallen in the zones.

Chris Todd, from Brighton and Hove Friends of the Earth said: “I think the first phase has been a success in raising awareness, while not everyone is obeying the speed limits I think speeds have definitely decreased.

“It is not about slowing people down for the sake of it, if you drive at speed it can be quite threatening to other road users.”

He added the decrease in speed on the road will help create a more “social” as well as a
safer environment for both road users and pedestrians in particular children and the elderly.

Steve Percy, of the People’s Parking Protest, said he believed the scheme is unnecessary.

He said: “Most roads are so narrow and the traffic moves so slowly anyway you cannot get past 20mph.

“The speed limits in the city were already self regulating, so why are we spending money putting up signs and on a scheme.

"It is mostly the motorists money in the transport fund so money should be spent a scheme to benefit the motorists rather than wasted on making it more difficult.”

Tony Green, from Bricycles, the Brighton and Hove Cycling Campaign, said: “I think it is a very good idea and we fully sup- port and are looking forward to it.

“Phase one has reduced speeds but it is not something that will be accepted immediately, it is a learning process.”