COUNCILLORS have slammed highways chiefs' plan to make the whole of Matlock town centre a 20mph zone – branding it farcical, crazy and impractical.
The proposal would limit drivers to 20mph on the roads leading from Crown Square to Bank Road Post Office, Causeway Lane roundabout, the Dimple and the Boat House pub on Dale Road.
Matlock Town Council voted on Monday to object to the county counc
il idea, which would also make the Derwent Way relief road 40mph.
Cllr David Barker said: "Initially I thought this was a good idea and was a compromise to make Crown Square more pedestrian-friendly.
"But to restrict the whole of the town centre to 20mph is farcical. And Derwent Way will go to 20mph, then 40mph, then 30mph.
"Do you know any town in Britain who has this? It's absolutely crazy."
Cllr Martin Burfoot said 14 new street signs would be needed, rubbishing authorities' aim of reducing street clutter in Matlock.
He said: "It's ironic they've never in all these years considered 20mph speed limits for places like Starkholmes and Wellington Street, then they've brought this in where you couldn't drive very fast any way during the day.
"It's amazing how slow 20mph is – it's an absolute crawl. This will encourage more people, younger motorists in particular, to use Starkholmes.
"It's not practical and will cause confusion and annoyance to motorists," Cllr Burfoot added.
The town council requested evidence to prove the scheme was justified, necessary and workable.
Derbyshire County Council said it was in the "very early stages" of consultation and wanted to hear people's views.
A spokesman said: "This is all part of the plans linked in with the Sainsbury's development.
"These are only proposals and we will be asking for comments from the public on them before making any decisions.
"Once the consultation closes on February 5, we take all the comments into consideration and prepare a report to go to our cabinet members."
A timescale has yet to be set for the work to be carried out.
