Speed cuts could increase emissions warns GMTA

Wednesday 18 July 2018

Harmful car emissions could rise in Guernsey if proposals to cut the speed limit on a number of island roads to 25mph are approved, the Guernsey Motor Trades Association President has said.

Environment & Infrastructure wants to reduce speed limits to 25mph on 81 roads across the island – including many arterial routes.

E&I believes reducing the limits in more densely populated areas will be safer for vulnerable road users and encourage more people to walk or cycle – especially for shorter journeys. In turn, the Committee thinks this will improve health, enhance the environment and minimise pollution – which fits within its Integrated Transport Strategy.

But Guernsey Motor Trades Association President, Robert Cornelius, has cautioned that it might actually have the opposite effect. 

“As you reduce a cars speed, they become less efficient and produce more CO2. You could argue that there is potentially more air pollution. When you create stop-start traffic, you burn more fuel and more emissions.” 

Vehicle designs and technology enhancements meant vehicle safety had never been better, Mr Cornelius said, and so reducing speed limits to better protect other road users was not necessarily needed.

“Road safety is important to all road users. But I think that, with the amount of safety in vehicles, I question whether these [speed limit reductions] are necessary. I mean, cars now have emergency brake assist, automatic braking and are generally much, much safer. These proposals potentially look excessive, because the safety elements in cars are not only for the driver, but for pedestrians too – cars have just gotten safer and safer and safer, so I would question why do you need to reduce speed limits.” 

While Mr Cornelius said he needed time to fully review the proposals, a number of other people have already echoed his concerns.

Some have said the proposed reduction in speed limits could be seen as a "money maker" for the States rather than accepting it is proposed as a safety initiative. 

Pictured: Some of the comments when the news was announced on the Bailiwick Express Guernsey Facebook page

Among those not supporting the plans are Marcus Shaw who asked; "have they considered enforcing the speed limits we already have?"

Hotelier Simon Vermeulen said it was "meddlesome and inappropriate! Sort out travel links first."

While some comments called for Deputy Barry Brehaut, the President of E&I to resign, some people did support the proposals his committee has put forward.

Sam Field who is a known keen cyclist said; "for those walking, cycling, or even standing and waiting for a bus, a vehicle travelling at 25 mph is much much less intimidating than a vehicle at 35 mph, even more so when you’re a small person (ie: a child going to school) and the vehicle is large.

"You’ll still get where you’re going at 25 mph and the slower speed may just make the walk, cycle or bus journey just that bit less terrifying to a person travelling under their under steam."

Most schools in the island already have 25mph or 20mph zones around them. As part of the proposals, Blanchelande College will see roads nearby reduced to 25mph, as it is currently the only school surrounded by a 35mph limit.