SPEED limits in five Dorset towns and villages will now be reduced to 20mph. 

From April, Langton Matravers, Wimborne, Winfrith, Pimperne and Bridport will see a flurry of new speed signs to reflect the change from 30mph. 

Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, hailed the move as being “community led”. 

The change follows a ‘traffic regulation order’ consultation for residents to share their views on slower speed limits. 

Further applications for Okeford Fitzpaine, Child Okeford, Milborne St Andrew, Winterborne Kingston, Cheselbourne and Wimborne (Allenview Road/Burts Hill) are now being assessed by Dorset Council. 

Bournemouth Echo: Cllr Ray Bryan (Dorset Council)Cllr Ray Bryan (Dorset Council)

Later this year, people will be able to give comments, support or objections to these applications through a consultation. Further details will be publicised at the time. 

Town and parish councils have been able to apply for 20mph speed limits and zones, following the introduction of Dorset Council’s 20mph policy in 2022. 

Cllr Bryan said: “The policy has provided officers with a framework for dealing with community led requests. 

“We offer advice and support to local towns and parishes seeking to improve and promote road safety, whether through 20mph limits and zones, or other suitable approaches. 

“This initiative is in response to community concerns about road safety and healthy areas in towns and villages.  

“It seeks to ensure that 20mph schemes give the maximum benefit for the affected communities within urban areas and village streets that are primarily residential, to ensure greater safety for pedestrians and cyclists and those using a mobility scooter, wheelchair or similar mobility aid.” 

Dorset Council said the process “does not seek to set a 20mph limit as the default for all roads” but is “implementable by considering national guidance; affordable, placing minimum strain on council budgets and enforceable by the police”. 

Meanwhile, neighbouring BCP Council is in the process of trying to roll out 20mph speed limits across the conurbation. 

The controversial scheme sparked fury among opposition, which said the announcement came “out of the blue” from deputy leader Millie Earl last year and described the Three Towns Alliance as “anti-car”. 

Cllr Earl, however, said a 20mph default speed limit would be “beneficial to people walking, wheeling and cycling and as highlighted would also benefit public health and air quality”.