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East Bergholt Parish Council, 20 mph “zone” proposal April 2026
Context
The Parish council meeting on 9
th
April 2026, discussed correspondence from members of the
public concerned about the dangers from traffic for children walking to school. A Suffolk
Highways policy regarding 20 mph “zones” was mentioned and it was agreed that Councillors
Roberts and Price would meet to review what might be done.
Councillors Roberts and Price met on Thursday 16
th
April and this brief forms the notes from
that meeting. This document is to be available for discussion under “Highway Plans” at the
Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee on 23
rd
April 2026 with a view of making
recommendations to the full council.
The proposal is for a 20 mph speed restriction “zone” within the parish. Issues and
recommended approach is discussed below. There are likely to be some costs involved, these
costs will be subject to further approval when the amounts are known.
Background
Suffolk County Council Highways have produced a new policy designed to encourage more
20mph speed restrictions where there would be a benefit to communities and where it also has
local support. The policy is dated February 2026. Previously the average existing traffic speed
had to be 24 mph or lower before a 20mph speed restriction would be considered. The new
policy changes this to an average traffic speed of 28mph or lower. This will have the effect of
increasing the number of locations where 20mph speed restrictions will be permitted. Some of
our narrow winding roads are likely to fall with the maximum average speed of 28 mph.
The council will be aware that consultants, PJA, have been working on our behalf on the design
of a project to improve safety on the B1070, Heath Road, particularly where it passes the High
School. If this initiative slows traffic on Heath Road, it may have encourage some drivers to cut
through the centre of the village. A 20mph zone through the village centre will have the
opposite effect and as such a 20 mph zone would complement the Heath Road project.
Not everyone will want a 20 mph speed restriction, but many local residents will support such a
proposal. Recent correspondence indicates that this is the case. Mr Matt Bevan stated in his
correspondence that he and others wish to walk children to school but feel that the roads are
not safe to do so. Clearly lower vehicle speeds would make the roads safer and if more people
walked, then there would be a reduced need for vehicle parking along the sides of roads. This
would be particularly beneficial in Hadleigh Road and Heath Road.
Requirements for a 20 mph Zone.
A 20 mph zone is an area subject to a 20 mph speed limits and may include several roads within
that area. A zone will have a single traffic order for the whole zone and we would expect a
reduced signage requirements, compared to lots of separate 20 mph speed restrictions on
separate roads.
Suffolk County Council, The highway authority, have rules before they will approve 20 mph
zones and we would need to meet their 20mph policy requirements

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The process to apply for a 20 mph zone is shown in the flowchart below taken from SCC policy
document

The local community with the support of the local County Councillor and the Liaison Officer
would raise the request for a 20mph zone.
The local community (Parish Council and the Councillor’s own fund) would be required to pay
for speed surveys to determine the average speed information. Community support is essential
and would need to be demonstrated, perhaps by a petition type survey and perhaps those who
have written to the Parish Council might be co-opted to help obtain evidence of support.
Special circumstances facts, that is, the reasons why Bergholt needs the speed restrictions,
need to be presented. These do need to be checkable facts and not subjective comments that
others might disagree with.
Initial steps we will need to take.
 State “the case” in a clear and succinct way to get public support. This may be done
through social media (Nicki Reed)
 Review existing speed survey evidence
 Write a list of East Bergholt’s special circumstances
 Agree which roads should receive the benefit of a 20mph speed restriction
 Conduct a residents survey/petition and collate feedback
 Prepare a statement on behalf of the PC to accompany an application to SCC
 Ensure Wayne Saunders (SCC) is on board
 Ensure our District and County Councillor is on board
 Submit the PC’s application
 Fund appropriate speed surveys and support the SCC in their evaluation of our proposal.

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20mph Zone

The suggested 20 mph zone as shown in purple, is those public roads within the village to the
south and west of the B1070. All the roads suggested for a 20mph limit, have a road with a 30
mph limit immediately preceding or another road with a 20 mph limit.
The 20 mph zone is intended to encourage more walking and cycling and improve safety, not
least, by reduced parking by those walking or cycling.