In her column on Congleton Nub News, Cllr Suzie Akers Smith has reacted to Wednesday's vote on the 20's Plenty motion for Cheshire East roads.

It was a wonderful feeling being part of the Cheshire East Labour/Independent administration on Wednesday 16th December after voting in favour of a 20's Plenty in 2020 motion to reduce speed limits on Cheshire East roads.

Where people live and work, on housing developments, town and village centres. Recently both Congleton and Alsager were very disappointed they were not given 20mph speed limits from Tranche 1 of the active travel funding.

Passing this Motion is another opportunity to help them reduce speed limits in their communities.

This opportunity to look at the speed limits of all Cheshire East roads through a review of the Speed Management Strategy is truly welcome given my champion role to increase the uptake of walking and cycling; reducing vehicle speeds on roads where it is not appropriate or acceptable is key to increasing the number of people being active by walking and cycling.

The passing of this Motion is also an opportunity to review the speed of small lanes such as Broadhurst Lane in Congleton where a recent petition received over 500 signatures to make the lane 10mph.

Forge Lane, Congleton where drivers are speeding because 30mph is the limit, but it certainly isn't a suitable speed for the residents that live there, the road is not wide enough.

They are frightened to own a pet for fear of it being run over, which is what happened in Broadhurst Lane.

The 20's Plenty in 2020 for Cheshire East Motion will enable us to change the speed limit on their roads which means they can live without being in fear of losing their pet.

A review of the Speed Management Strategy will also enable Cheshire East Council to reduce national speed limits on country road where there are often horse riders and walkers.

In Congleton only last week a tragic collision where a vehicle was travelling too fast for the road, but wasn't breaking the speed limit, meant a horse has died, and the rider will most likely be traumatised from this experience.

Reducing speeds on country roads where 60mph is not appropriate will make like safer for walkers as well as horse riders.

The amendment to the original Motion by Cllr Laura Crane, portfolio holder for highways was most welcome because it now means we can look at all road speed limits, not just where they are currently 30mph.

Another benefit is we can look at how restrictions would be implemented, whether that be speed zones, default 20mph speed limits or other ways of reducing vehicle speed.

I very much thank Cllr Laura Crane for this amendment, with a tweak from Cllr Phil Williams and seconded by Cllr James Barber, the borough's young people's champion.

The Speed Management Strategy being included as part of the Motion that was unanimously passed, (Audlem abstained from voting), provides the structure on how we will move forward with the process; we are on to it already.

This process also provides the opportunity for all residents in the borough to provide input and offer suggestions for roads that they believe the existing speed limit is too fast, preventing their community from feeling safe to walk and cycle or to ensure their pet arrives home that day, rather than receiving a warm collar.

I would urge residents across the borough to start providing their suggestions today, they can email [email protected], their local parish or town council or their Cheshire East ward councillor.

I am more than happy to be copied into any requests. A big thank you to Mr Mayor, Cllr Barry Burkhill for allowing this Motion to be discussed at Full Council the Officers for their organisation.

The press coverage alone will encourage residents to think about the roads where they live and if they feel a speed limit reduction would be a good idea.

The review can also include a range of changes such as all new housing developments are set at a default 20mph, all areas within a town centre, all lanes with sub-standard widths be 20mph or 10mph.

All National Cycle Network routes could be 40mph. Passing the 20's Plenty in 2020 Motion on the 16th December is a great day for the residents of Cheshire East because if we reduce speed of traffic we will help people feel safer walking and cycling increasing activity.

You will most likely survive a collision at 20mph, at 30mph you will most likely end up as a KSI.

More people cycling reduces congestion and improves air quality and makes room for people whose need for motorised transport is essential for them to be independent.

Everybody wins.