Cheshire West and Chester Conservatives “delighted” as Labour Administration begrudgingly backs blanket 20mph school speed limits
Members of the Cheshire West and Chester Conservative Group have reacted with pride after Cheshire West and Chester councillors eventually supported their proposals to limit speeds outside education institutions to 20mph across the borough.
The amendment to the Cheshire West and Chester Council budget for 2025/26 was proposed in light of recent high-profile incidents and was intended to fully fund changes to each school road that is not already covered by a 20mph limit.
The initial Conservative Group proposal was fully funded through the proposed Highways budget to cover 24 areas and employ a new ‘Safer Routes to Schools’ officer to support the existing team.
Cllr Simon Eardley (Saughall and Mollington, Con), Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Transport and Conservative Group Deputy Leader, proposed the amendment by explaining:
“Our amendment wasn’t controversial. It wasn’t political. It was entirely about road safety – an issue which should be of universal importance to us all. But more than that, it was about road safety around schools. We all know that really matters.
“As a result of questions we asked, and following concerns expressed by over 14,000 people who signed a petition concerning the Wrexham Road area of Chester to make our streets safer for school children, we wanted to try and help ensure that all schools are covered by an appropriate speed limit.
“We put forward a straightforward and fully funded proposal to implement a blanket 20mph limit outside schools as soon as possible to reduce the risk outside 24 schools, including, incredibly, one with a 60mph limit! This also included money for a dedicated Road Safety Officer to help review further road safety in the borough.”
In spite of a reasonable proposal, the Labour group initially REFUSED to back the amendment and voted against it. Despite agreeing to the substance of the debate, it was made plain that they did not feel more staff would be of benefit to the Highways team.
Reacting afterwards, Cllr Eardley was incredulous:
“What I vehemently disagree with is the shameful way the Labour Group ran the meeting this evening. Instead of agreeing to all of our points as submitted, they insisted on making changes by removing the inclusion of another Road Safety Officer in the amendment.
“We did not wish to back down from our principles on road safety, so the Labour Group duly voted our amendment down on party lines. Through gritted teeth, they then had to lay down another amendment, comprising all of our original points minus this officer position. Everyone, except the Liberal Democrat councillor for Tarvin & Kelsall, supported our proposal for safer roads.
“Whilst this change could have been made much earlier, and the process of this should have been easier, it is heartening to see our proposals receive support. This is a positive day for road safety in the borough.”
Cllr Razia Daniels (Handbridge Park, Con), explained her backing afterwards for the amendment:
“Over the years, I have repeatedly pushed for safety improvements in my ward, including for an additional safe crossing on Wrexham Road, Chester. I welcome the recent temporary reduction in speed that was announced recently near the King’s School.
“That’s why I was determined to ensure we further lower speed limits, particularly near schools, nurseries and other education institutions, to make our roads as safe as possible for all students and pedestrians crossing busy roads.”
Aphra Brandreth, Member of Parliament for Chester South and Eddisbury, said:
“I welcome the decision taken by Cheshire West and Chester Council to implement a blanket 20mph speed limit outside of schools. I am very grateful to the Conservative Group for showing leadership on this matter and ensuring a meaningful change has been made in our area.
“This is an issue that ought to transcend party politics and I was pleased to see the manner in which the amendment was brought forward by Cllr Simon Eardley; a pragmatic, fully-funded approach. At the centre of our campaign to introduce a blanket 20mph speed limit outside schools is the safety of children. This was a point I made clear in Parliament during a debate I secured on road safety outside of schools in January. It is a shame that the Labour Group did not share this sentiment.
“This decision is a victory for the thousands of my constituents who have signed the petition following the tragic incident on Wrexham Road and who have written to me regarding other schools with speed limits higher than 20mph directly outside in Chester South and Eddisbury. Cheshire West and Chester Conservatives have listened and acted, helping make roads outside schools in our area safer.”
Cllr Adrian Waddelove (Farndon, Con), Conservative Group Leader, ended the discussion by saying:
“Like several of my colleagues, I have two schools in my ward which have roadside speed limits higher than 20mph, and I am constantly messaged by residents who are frightened of the potential outcomes.
“As an opposition group, we are limited by the opportunities we have to make serious changes to Council policy. We had provided a ready-made solution to this problem, and the fact that in spite of Labour’s blatant game playing to stamp their names on something they weren’t prepared to do until tonight and voted through with gritted teeth demonstrates that the Conservative group is clearly the administration-in-waiting ahead of May 2027.
“Local politics should be better and achieve results. Unfortunately, this Labour administration politicised a point that thousands of parents wanted to see happen. Nonetheless, I am proud that local Conservatives helped make Cheshire West safer at Budget Council tonight.”