RESIDENTS have been given less than a month to give their thoughts on introduction of 20mph speed limits around Bodmin.

Since 2022, a number of towns across the Duchy have seen the rollout of reduced speed limits in an effort to ‘make roads safer’, ‘increasing child and adult activity levels’, ‘supporting climate change declaration’, and ‘creating a stronger sense of community’.

The Cornwall Council project hopes to see speed limits lowered from 30mph to 20mph on residential roads and in built-up areas, as part of the council’s efforts to reduce both death and serious injury by 50 per cent on its roads by 2030.

A council spokesperson said: “There is strong evidence that driving at 20mph makes roads safer. In Bristol, lowering speed limits to 20mph led to 63 per cent fewer deaths. In Edinburgh, a city-wide 20mph limit reduced injuries by 39 per cent in one year. A study in 2024 found that 20mph speed limits in 40 European cities reduced fatalities by 37 per cent, and injuries by 38 per cent.”

With 14 areas having already been consulted on the matter - with some having seen speeds already implemented - it is now the turn of Bodmin to have its say, with Cornwall Council launching its local consultation on September 7.

Residents are being asked to complete a survey to allow the council to gauge local opinion on the project.

A council spokesperson continued: “Cornwall Council is planning to introduce a 20mph speed limit on most residential streets within the Bodmin Community Network Area. This decision follows strong local support from these communities. Where necessary, buffer zones will also be added on approach to these areas. For full details of the proposed locations, please refer to the supporting documentation.

“Introducing a 20mph speed limit in these areas will make our streets safer, especially for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users. This change supports Cornwall Council’s Vision Zero goal: working towards eliminating all fatal and serious injuries on our roads.

“Lower speeds don’t just improve safety, they make our communities better places to live. Slower traffic encourages more walking and cycling for local journeys, reduces traffic noise, and improves air quality. It also helps create more reliable travel times and healthier, more connected communities.

“By reducing the dominance of traffic, we can make streets more sociable, support local businesses, and give everyone easier access to community facilities. Plus, fewer harsh accelerations and braking mean cleaner air and quieter roads, benefiting both residents and visitors.”

The consultation is set to close on October 2, giving residents only 19 days to give their thoughts on the matter.

Following this, the council has estimated that the consultation outcome will be published at the end of November, with works estimated to kickstart in April 2027, should there be an successful outcome from the consultation.

Though the consultation has only just opened, some residents have already expressed their concern, describing the exercise as a ‘waste of money’.