A GROUP of Taunton residents have joined together to say ‘20 is plenty’ on residential roads through Somerset.

Campaigners gathered on Staplegrove Road on Saturday, July 18, to promote a lower speed limit.

The group is calling on Somerset County Council to implement a new speed reduction programme throughout Somerset, which would see traffic on residential and shopping streets reduced to 20mph.

The 20 is Plenty campaign is being spearheaded by local district councillor Caroline Ellis.

A petition has been created which has so far gathered more than 500 signatures.

Cllr Ellis said: “The campaign is demanding a default 20mph limit on all residential and shopping streets in Somerset’s towns and villages.

“Such a limit would save lives, enable more and safer cycling and walking, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, reduce pressure on the NHS and increase equality and social cohesion.

“The county council could act swiftly on this demand by creating an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order which lasts for up to 18 months.

“A signed, mandatory 20mph limit can be enforced by police, backed up by education/awareness and social media campaigns with local authorities and community speed watch groups doing their bit.”

SCC announced earlier this year it intends to introduce an advisory 20mph outside schools across the county.

But the petition asks the council to go further.

A spokesperson for SCC said: “The council is aware of the petition. Once it is received, we’ll be considering the request and will respond in more detail in due course.

“The council is currently committed to our programme of improving safety outside of schools and is introducing advisory 20mph speed limits over the next two years.”