A HOUSING development could be the first estate in the country to have a speed limit as low as 10mph.

Colchester high steward Sir Bob Russell has called for the safety measure to be introduced into plans to build houses on the former Army vehicle repair workshops off Flagstaff Road.

Former MP Sir Bob, who with colleagues in New Town was instrumental in getting the first 20mph speed limit in Essex nearly 30 years ago, is a former chairman of Parliament's all-party road safety group.

He is working with charity Brake on the campaign to lower the limit on developments with shared space where there is no differentiation between pavements, roads and public space.

He cited as examples new developments off Port Lane and at the former Cavalry Barracks which have a 20mph speed limit although the layout means that this may be considered too high to be safe.

“Designs of new housing areas are now, in some cases, different to that of the second half of the 20th century and into the current century," Sir Bob said.

“Of course, 20mph limits are the obvious best choice for many new estate roads, but when a new development has a design feature of shared pavements and roads and community areas then 20mph is too high.”

He added: “A 10mph limit would be an immediate visual instruction to drivers to slow down.”

Sir Bob said that with further brown field developments taking place throughout the country, where the designs featured shared space, then he felt the interests of safety are such that a 10mph speed limit should be introduced.

“The distances involved are not great," he added.

"It would add only seconds to a journey.

"Most drivers obey speed limits, so signs stating 10mph would be a subliminal message to drive more slowly.”