Cllr Jackie Brodie, of Moorlands Close, Newton Abbot, writes:

I would like to thank Mr Gwilym, for his efforts in bringing relevant agencies together to improve road safety in Newton Abbot and organising last week's meeting, reported in the MDA.

One of his excellent suggestions is the introduction of school pastors, similar to street pastors who already operate successfully in Newton Abbot.

Another suggestion which I would urge people to support is the introduction of 20mph limits either near schools or more widely on all residential roads.

This is not a new idea: 20mph roads can be found in Exeter, Cardiff and Bristol and many other towns, and Birmingham has announced that 90 per cent of its roads are to have a 20mph limit.

It is fast becoming the default speed limit in many residential areas, and I believe now is the right time for Newton Abbot to ask Devon County Council if we can benefit from 20mph, too. The benefits are many and well proven.

Britain has one of the lowest levels of child walking and cycling and British parents consistently cite traffic speed as the main reason why they won't let their children walk or cycle to school.

Britain's default 30mph limit is 60 per cent higher than most northern European towns where far more citizens enjoy the opportunity to walk and cycle in greater safety. UK pedestrians form a greater percentage of road fatalities (22.5 per cent) than any other EU country. In those areas where urban speed limits have been lowered to 20mph, child pedestrian accidents have decreased by up to 70 per cent.

There are plenty of myths put about by those that do not support a shift to 20mph – claims that it will severely increase journey times, increase noise and pollution,  that it will be ignored and not enforced.

These are all just that – myths – even with no increase in enforcement above existing levels, average traffic speeds are reduced by 7mph, enough to make a difference. Go to http://www.20splentyforus.org.uk/ ">www.20splentyforus.org.uk/ ; for the truth and overwhelming evidence that speeds are reduced, people feel safer, and are getting out and making new journeys by foot and cycle, and rebuilding communities without the constant threat of speeding vehicles, and that accident rates are falling saving the misery to those involved and the costs to all of us.

Evidence from 20mph zones shows that more people choose to walk and cycle for short journeys because the roads feel safer, with traffic congestion decreasing benefiting the economy and those that need to use a car. It's win-win all round.

It's time for our residential roads to be fairly shared by all users, by setting an appropriate speed limit that protects the young and the vulnerable.MORE LETTERS IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION