Isle of Wight Green Party calls for 20mph speed limits in Island towns

It follows the death of a pedestrian in Newport last month (January), and a separate, serious collision outside Marks and Spencer.

Members of the party unanimously voted to look for ways to impose limits at its AGM.

Read more: 

• Isle of Wight pedestrian dies in Newport High Street crash
• Newport roads closed following incident near Marks and Spencer

Newport Green Party community councillor, Michael Smith, who was hit by a vehicle in central Newport in December 2021, spent much of last year receiving residential care as part of his recovery.

He said: "It's clear that recent incidents have shown that road safety on the Island needs to be seriously looked at in order to ensure that pedestrians have every opportunity to cross safely.

"Other councils in England are prioritising 20mph areas to make our roads safer and reduce pollution.

"People on the Isle of Wight deserve similar safety measures. We don’t want to see similar tragic incidents happen again.”

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Cllr Joe Lever, councillor for Carisbrooke and Gunville, added:

"The council’s speed review data is currently being collated into a report for Cabinet in the spring.

"This should contain recommendations and suggestions to address the demand for improved road safety in our towns across the Island.

"I urge the Cabinet to ensure that 20mph roads in our town centres are included in these recommendations.”