Seven parish and town councils in Hampshire have submitted applications for new 20mph speed limits under a revised policy.

In January 2024, Hampshire County Council adopted the revised 20mph policy, which allows parish and town councils in Hampshire to request and fund 20mph speed limits in suitable zones on a full-cost recovery basis.

Those who wish to apply for a 20mph speed limit or zone must pay an initial non-refundable payment of £175 for any needed investigations, including traffic surveys and the full design and installation cost of any new measures.

As part of the costs, those councils would be required to pay a “commuted sum”, which enables the county council to maintain all the new signs, posts, road markings and other measures in the future.

However, the county council said that the cost of implementing the limits remains a “significant challenge” for many parish and town councils.

This is because councils are required to enforce the limit based on full cost recovery, meaning that local communities must bear the entire expense of any changes.

The cost of implementing a speed limit change can vary by location.

However, the county council has advised local councils that a typical 20mph speed limit scheme for a ‘core village’, which doesn’t require additional traffic management measures, will generally cost around £30,000.

On the approval day in January, councillors accused the council of passing the buck over its responsibilities to investigate and roll-out potential new 20mph zones.

Cllr Tim Groves said: “Hampshire is the highway authority. Parishes and districts have no responsibility on highways at all. I think Hampshire is not doing the right thing here.”

They were also disappointed about the high cost for the smaller councils, as applying for the 20mph zone scheme does not guarantee that the communities will achieve it.

Over the last 12 months, seven applications were submitted. According to the council, some applications are awaiting a decision.

Here is the list of the applications received:

  • Romsey Town Council – proposals in early stages of development
  • Over Wallop Parish Council – proposals being progressed
  • North Waltham Parish Council – Parish Council to consider funding speed checks/scheme
  • Preston Candover Parish Council – Parish Council to consider funding speed checks/ scheme
  • Steep Parish Council – Scheme in early stages of development
  • Kings Somborne Parish Council- Scheme in early stages of development
  • Beech Parish Council – Parish Council to consider funding a scheme

The council will review the effectiveness of procedures and applications on June 25.