Ashfield District Council leader slams county council over temporary new speed limits in Hucknall

Nottinghamshire County Council is introducing ‘advisory’ speed restrictions, reduced from 30 miles per hour to 20mph, in certain areas from the end of this month on local high streets.

In Hucknall, changes will affect the junctions of Annesley Road and Spring Street, High Street and Portland Street, Watnall Road and Derbyshire Lane, and South Street and West Street.

But district council leader Coun Jason Zadrozny, who also sits on the county council, has hit out at the scheme, saying: “Putting to one side the fact that a not a single county councillor or business or resident was consulted, these measures are baffling.

“Quite how the council thinks that reducing speed limits for cars will help social distancing is crazy.”

Explaining the decision, John Cottee, chairman of the county council’s communities and place committee, said: “We have looked to identify a number of temporary interventions in urban areas to help mitigate andreduce social distancing issues.

“These areas are high footfall and of dense population, particularly at peak times.”

He added: “We will review our plans once the majority of shops reopen to ensure the measures we are suggesting are fit for purpose.

“We will then continue to monitor new measures once they are in place.”

Highways contractor Via East Midlands will be carrying out work to implement the schemes from Monday, June 22, and the authority says the projects are being carried out in partnership with district councils with backing from the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund.

But Coun Zadrozny said: “This is yet another example of a remote county council making decisions from miles away. Anybody who knows our district will tell you it is ridiculous.

“In contrast, Ashfield District Council consulted retailers and extended free parking on council-owned car parks until August.

“I’ve asked the county council to explain its rationale.”