NEW lower speed limits are being introduced in residential streets across Brighouse and Rastrick as part of the roll out of Calderdale Council’s Love Our Streets scheme.

The campaign began in April 2015 and the new 20mph speed limits have been gradually rolling out in the district since then.

Areas of Brighouse town centre, Rastrick and Woodhouse saw the new zones become operational earlier this month.

And parts of Bailiff Bridge, Hove Edge, Lightcliffe and Brighouse North will see the lower speed limit introduced by the end of this week.

The campaign aims to make the district’s streets safer for everyone and to reduce the number and seriousness of collisions in Calderdale.

Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for public health and inequalities, Councillor Faisal Shoukat, said: “The roll out of 20mph areas in Calderdale continues, as the speed limit is now operational in the Brighouse area.

“The Council has been introducing the new speed limit on residential streets across the borough since it launched the Love Our Streets campaign in April 2015. The aim of the campaign is to help make our roads safe and pleasant wherever we live and however we travel across Calderdale.

“The results from our initial evaluation of the scheme indicate an approximate 20 per cent reduction in injuries in places 20mph has been introduced. We are continuing to monitor this, but the early impact has been encouraging.

“Since Friday, June 9, 20mph speed limits have been in place in Brighouse town centre, Rastrick, and Woodhouse. The scheme will be operational in neighbouring areas of Bailiff Bridge, Hove Edge, Lightcliffe and in parts of northern Brighouse from Friday, June 30.”

Consultation has already taken place over the next phase of the roll-out which will see more areas on the edge of Bradford, such as Stone Chair and Shelf, see the introduction of 20mph zones shortly.

Cllr Shoukat added: “The next phase of the roll out is planned for the Hipperholme, Northowram and Norwood Green area, with the aim of introducing the scheme from September this year.”

Calderdale was the first authority in West Yorkshire to introduce 20mph speed limits in most residential streets.

A person hit by a vehicle at 30mph is seven times more likely to die than at 20mph. If someone runs out in front of a vehicle at 20mph there is a 99 per cent chance they won’t be killed - because the stopping distance at 30mph is almost double that of 20mph.

For more information about the Love Our Streets campaign visit 20mph.livingcalderdale.co.uk or for the latest updates go to facebook.com/LoveOurStreets.