Public consultation opens on 20mph speed limit across Thatcham
The council wants to lower the speed limit on many of the residential roads and cul-de-sacs within the town.
The council has launched a public consultation into plans to introduce a 20 mile per hour speed limit on most residential roads and cul de sacs in Thatcham.
The consultation begins at 8am on Thursday (16 October), and runs until midnight on Wednesday, November 5.
Residents are invited to view a four-page plan which highlights all the roads proposed for the new speed limit in blue, and are encouraged to share their comments via an online survey, email, or letter.
This initiative follows previous trials in Theale and parts of Newbury, where the "20 is plenty" limit was tested. Theale served as a pilot project to explore extending the lower speed zone across other areas of West Berkshire, though fewer than one percent of its population responded to the earlier consultation.
Out of 54 responses, 26 supported the proposal, 22 opposed it or voiced objections, and six were neutral; just 23 responses came from Theale residents.
Feedback from the earlier project suggested concerns about the enforceability of the 20mph limit. Some respondents doubted drivers would respect the new speed limit without proper enforcement, while others worried that stringent enforcement could result in more fines. Previous studies found that a 20mph limit should not be implemented in isolated locations upon individual request, but more effectively across wider areas with suitable road conditions.
During the consultation period, everyone living in Thatcham is invited to share their views and help shape the future of road safety in the town.