THE PLANS for the next phase of the 20mph speed limit rollout have been deferred due to an “unclear” report.

At an ongoing meeting of the Brighton and Hove City Council opposition councillors motioned to defer the report until January following clarifications made to the document.

The report on phase three of the rollout recommended further consultation in areas including Hangleton, Woodingdean, Ovingdean, Saltdean, Rottingdean and the Hove Park area.

The report recommended roads to the west of Hangleton Way retain their existing 30mph speed limits.

Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, leader of the conservative group, led the motion and said “it is just not clear enough”.

A petition was presented to the council by resident Phillipa Sen signed by 280 people calling on Holmes Avenue in Hove to be included in phase three.

She said the road is often used as a shortcut for fast moving traffic coming from main roads and the number of schools in the area means there are large numbers of children using the road.

Ms Sen added children and animals have both been hit on that section of road.

Holmes Avenue is already included in the phase three and Councillor Tony Janio said the fact the residents did not know this showed “how bad” the report was.

Pete West, chair of the committee, said the decision to defer was “regrettable” and the 20mph limits are “already saving lives in the city”. 

The proposals will be discussed  at the committee's next meeting on January 20.