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Efforts to stop a number of roads having their speed limits cut were roundly defeated as Guernsey's States members chose to allow a reduction to 25mph.
More than 80 will now see their limit cut from 35mph, including Braye Road in the Vale, Route Carre in St Sampson, and the road around Blanchelande College in St Andrews.
The decision to cut speed limits had been met with some public opposition, so Deputy Carl Meerveld and Deputy Jeremy Smithies lodged a 'Motion to annul' the decision, trying to stop the Committee for Environment and Infrastructure from making the changes.
That forced a States debate on the issue this afternoon but when it came to the vote they were roundly defeated.
28 deputies voted against the Motion to Annul, with just six supporting it. Three others chose not to vote while three weren't present for the debate.
There was a recorded vote on the Motion to Annul the Speed Limit Statutory Instruments. There voted: Pour: 6 Contre: 28 Abstain: 3.
— States of Guernsey (@Govgg) February 27, 2019
The States have voted to reject the Motion to Annul. Therefore the Speed Limit Statutory Instruments have been passed by the Assembly.
Deputy Barry Brehaut, as President of E&I, led the charge to cut speed limits, saying it would improve safety for all road users.
He had previously said he was disappointed to see the annulment placed by Deputies Meerveld and Smithies, as it would have affected each of the 10 separate statutory instruments put forward by Environment, rather than just challenging some of them.
He has also said the claims of public opposition to the plans to cut speed limits on the affected roads were exaggerated.
Delighted to get our speed limit proposals through by such a margin. Despite months of, at times, contrived opposition, States members chose to endorse our proposals.
— Barry Brehaut. (@deputybaz) February 27, 2019
The reduced speed limits will come into force on 7 April, 2019.
You can check which roads are affected here.
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