For the first time in many years I have just spent a few days driving around London and its suburbs. 

Just prior to that, I spent a few days driving around Nottingham and its outlying districts. 

It became immediately evident that 20 mph restrictions are widespread throughout the above locations, both in main thoroughfares and suburban streets. 
Resultant traffic-calming conditions were very impressive to witness. 

Some streets where schools are located were closed to through traffic during term times.

Why are the Isle of Wight’s legislators so hesitant in adopting widespread 20 mph speed limits when the benefits in terms of improved road safety, and reductions in noise and pollution are so conspicuous in other parts of the country?

Read more: High cost of making Isle of Wight roads safer, council told

Is this bureaucratic lethargy down to incompetence or the complete absence of any proactive initiative and moral courage from our elected representatives?

Newport, for one, is crying out for restrictive speed controls, especially at night when traffic levels are low and when the boy racers thunder through the roads, treating them as extensions to the Formula 1 Silverstone Circuit.

Read more: Police express concerns over call for more 20mph zones

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