A PUBLIC exhibition is to be held on proposals for a 20mph speed limit in the city centre.

Staff from Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council will be on hand to discuss the proposals and answer questions on two dates during the exhibition period.

The scheme is being promoted by Hampshire County Council, funded through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, and delivered by Winchester City Council.

Councillor Victoria Weston, Winchester City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Built Environment, said: “20mph speed limits are becoming regular and popular features in city centres, especially those with an historic environment and a strong tourist economy. Such limits have been shown to improve quality of life for local residents, shoppers and visitors and to improve traffic-flow and safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.”

But in the past some, including Cllr Robert Sanders, have questioned whether the scheme is necessary at all.

In May he said: “Of course I can understand the need for 20mph limits outside schools, for example, and if there was an evidence base to suggest that 20mph limits do actually change behaviour, then I might be in favour of it.

“I think there is a national speed limit and it’s not the place of councils to tinker with it.”

The two-week event will be held in early November at the Tourist Information Centre at the Guildhall, the BID offices in Parchment Street, the Winchester Discovery Centre and the Brooks Shopping Centre (ground floor) – from Monday, November 4, to Friday, November 15.

Council staff will answer questions at the discovery Centre on Thursday, November 7 from 11am to 2pm, and Tuesday, November 12, from 4pm-7pm.