Plans to implement a series of 20mph zones in Barrow are set to be halted due to a lack of support.
Members of Furness Locality Board for Westmorland and Furness Council are recommended to not progress plans at this time to introduce 20mph schemes in Hawcoat, Newbarns, Ormsgill, Roosecote, and north Walney following a consultation.
Council officers have also recommended that members to delay a decision on the work programme for the 20mph speed limit scheme to April to allow revised options to be considered.
In April last year, the locality board agreed to progress plans for the development of 20mph zones in Barrow however a public consultation on the proposals received a very low number of responses, a report prepared for a meeting states.
The report adds a significant proportion of the responses received were not in favour of the schemes as consulted.
According to the public consultation on the five proposed 20mph zones, the council received 783 responses after sending out 10,561 leaflets to properties.
Figures show 58.5 per cent of respondents did not want a 20mph scheme in their area to be implemented.
The council said 20mph speed limits needed a demonstrable level of support for a scheme by the local community before they were implemented.
Council documents said: “Feedback received after the consultation period suggests that the proposal extents covered areas much larger than desired by communities, which may have impacted the level of support for the project.”
The 20mph speed limit policy and implementation was a priority set out by the council to make a commitment to be at the forefront of tackling climate changes and the challenges it presents, the report said.
The report added: “20mph speed limits are important in supporting local communities and through the council plan, aims to promote lower vehicle speeds.
“The main aims are to promote safer roads, reduce congestion, reduce vehicle pollution, enhance the environment for walking and cycling, and support the community having a sense of place.”
Members of Furness Locality board will discuss whether to not progress the proposals on January 15 at Barrow Town Hall.
