THE news that 20mph could become the new default speed limit in Brighton and Hove is probably the most important single thing that could happen to improve the lives of everyone who walks, cycles, lives in and wants to enjoy this city (The Argus, April 27).

Brighton and Hove City Council’s paper, to be discussed tomorrow, rightly states the following: “The benefits of a city-wide 20mph scheme include a potential reduction in collisions and a reduction in the severity of those collisions which do occur.

“Consistency of speed limit is likely to lead to better compliance, reduced street clutter and an increased perception of safety.

“These improvements to the public realm will also have health benefits, encouraging more cycling and walking and improving air quality.”

Amen to all that. The data on 20mph speed limits is clear: fewer people are killed and fewer people are injured.

There will be less noise, and less pollution. Brighton and Hove will become a safer city for cyclists and for pedestrians, a nicer place to live in, to work in and to visit. Bring it on.

Stephen Young, Living Streets Brighton and Hove

EITHER 20mph speed limits or speed humps – but, please, not both.

How successful such a limit would be in a place such as Brighton and Hove remains to be seen.

I remember in the 1950s a 12mph speed limit was tried in Northampton (I think).

It lasted half a morning; people simply ignored it.

Michael Barley, Queen Alexandra Avenue, Hove

THIS Green Party is crackers – £20 to park a car, now 20mph speed limits.

The next thing will be a driver has to be accompanied by another person with a red flag walking 20 yards ahead. Or has that been tried before?

Roy Dudley, The Esplanade, Telscombe Cliffs

I WOULD like to congratulate Brighton and Hove City Council on its plans to introduce 20mph speed limits in residential streets, city-wide.

If implemented, I am sure this will improve road safety, especially for vulnerable road-users such as cyclists and pedestrians.

It will also improve the environment, reduce emissions and encourage cycling and the use of public transport.

I believe we’ll look back in about a decade and wonder how we tolerated 30mph limits in residential areas for so long.

Good luck to the council in bringing forward this much-needed improvement.

Gavin Smith, Hailsham

THIS decision to introduce 20mph zones should not necessarily be read as a green-conscious measure.

Since 2008, Portsmouth has 20 mph zones on all its roads, but doesn’t have a single Green councillor.

Thomas Johnson, Tamworth Road, Hove