Elston Parish Council petition to implement 20s Plenty presented to Nottinghamshire County Council

A parish council has said they will “press for change” in the new electoral year after a petition for a 20mph speed limit was presented to council.

Elston Parish Council petitioned to introduce the ‘20’s Plenty’ campaign in their village to lower the speed limit and improve safety and advisory signage near Elston Hall Primary School.

The petition, signed by 262 residents, was presented to Nottinghamshire County Council by Sue Saddington, on December 5.

It has been sent to the relevant officers for consideration and the Cabinet Member for Transport & Environment will in due course agree a response to the petition which will then be published in a report, and the lead petitioner will be informed.

The chairman of Elston Parish Council, Bertie Pinchera, said: “We are pleased that our petition for a 20mph statutory speed limit was presented to Nottinghamshire County Council.

“However, it is not current policy to introduce 20mph speed limits in the county and it is therefore our intention to press for the policy to change in the new council following the May 2025 elections.”

The petition highlights urgent safety concerns for pedestrians, especially children, in a village where narrow or non-existent pavements and a lack of pedestrian crossings force residents to cross the road at their own risk.

The absence of 20mph advisory signage around the school is said to have left families and children particularly vulnerable.

The petition also draws attention to the village’s narrow pavements, which in some areas disappear altogether, creating a precarious environment for pedestrians.

Sue Saddington said: “Elston’s residents should not have to fear for their safety when crossing the street or walking to school.

“The absence of a reduced speed limit and proper signage around the school creates unnecessary risks, especially for children and elderly residents.

“Introducing a 20mph speed zone and installing advisory signage would be a vital step in making Elston a safer place for everyone.”

The petition, which is being signed by residents, is part of a broader campaign led by the national 20’s Plenty for Nottinghamshire movement, advocating for lower speed limits across the county.

The move aligns with the growing 20’s Plenty campaign, which has proved to be successful in areas including Cornwall, Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

Mr Pinchera concluded: “We would encourage all local areas concerned by the current policy to follow our lead and make it known to their Councillor that 20mph will bring safer roads to their own location and to campaign for change.”