Plan to double amount of 20mph zones in Liverpool
Liverpool City Council is planning to more than double the number of 20mph zones across the city to cut accidents and save an estimated £5.2m a year.
The council is consulting on proposals to increase the number of residential roads within the reduced speed limit from 30% to 70%.
A spokesman said the reduced limit would prevent 54 accidents a year.
He said £5.2m would be saved through reduced costs on emergency services at accidents and road closures.
The plan is based on successful schemes in Warrington and Portsmouth.
'Get it right'
Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for regeneration and transport, councillor Malcolm Kennedy, said: "Making our roads safer is a key priority for us.
"The number of accidents on our roads has been reducing over the years, but we are determined to cut them even further.
"We need to make sure that these proposals are supported by local people and can be enforced.
"That's why we'll be consulting extensively over the plans, to make sure we get it right."
The council has studied similar schemes in Portsmouth which introduced a 20mph speed limit on 94% of its roads, and Warrington which conducted a trial in three areas.
They experienced a reduction of between 21% and 25% in the number of road traffic accidents.
In Portsmouth, road speeds dropped by an average of 6.3mph.
Under the Liverpool plans, roads which would be exempt from becoming 20mph zones would include roads with existing speed limits of 40mph or more, A and B roads, and major routes which are not residential.
The council is also discussing the plans with Liverpool Primary Care Trust to assess the potential benefits of more pedestrian and cycle-friendly streets and improved air quality.