New proposals put forward to reduce speed limits on roads across Colchester may have been given the seal of approval by Essex County Council – but it was not a view shared by many Gazette readers.

The Active Travel Fund could see scores of roads in both the town centre and the Lexden area of Colchester have their speed limits cut from 30mph to 20mph as part of the new plans.

Although some readers welcomed the proposals, others felt they would be lucky to get close to reaching the 30mph speed limit in many roads as it is.

Gazette: Roadworks have been a familiar sight for drivers over the years Roadworks have been a familiar sight for drivers over the years

And others took the positives by suggesting it would give them more time to avoid potholes.

Here is a selection of some of the comments from Gazette readers on the proposals.

“It’ll take some getting used to being able to go that quickly around Colchester!” – Elliot Robertson

“Fast enough with all the pot holes. Gives you a chance to dodge them if you can.” – Jackie High

“Spend the money on fixing the roads first! Then worry about the speed – besides, who’s going to enforce the 20mph speed limits?” – Paul Williams

“Waste of time, my road is 15mph and nobody takes any notice and there is nobody to enforce it.” – Adrian Williams

“Most welcomed.” – Stephen Foster-Pilkington

“Would be great – less animals would be killed by speeding motorists!” – Teresa Nel

“It'll be easier to spot the potholes at least.” – Nathan Baroni

“Wouldn’t make any difference to be honest… With the amount of traffic on the roads, you’d be lucky to hit past 10mph let alone 20mph!” – Rachel West

Gazette: Some residents feel the levels of traffic prevent commuters from driving at 30mph Some residents feel the levels of traffic prevent commuters from driving at 30mph

In response to people’s reaction to the plans, a spokesman from Essex County Council reiterated that changes to the speed limit were designed to encourage greener travel, and added that the majority of respondents supported the plans in the consultation.

He said: “Reducing the speed limit to 20mph on residential and town centre roads is designed to make our streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists and supports the aims of our Safer, Greener, Healthier campaign.

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“A reduction in the speed limit in turn helps encourage residents to use more active forms of travel and benefits towns like Colchester as it helps reduce congestion.

“There are additional benefits to the NHS as people get fitter through active travel and for the environment as less pollution is released on residents’ daily journeys.

“Introducing a 20mph speed limit in these parts of Colchester was also supported by 69% of the respondents to our Active Travel Fund consultation last year.”