SUPPORT is widespread for the introduction of 20mph residential limits in Warrington.

Key bodies and figures agree in principle to a by-law for the limit, which was recently introduced for the first time in the UK by Portsmouth.

However, there is also agreement that major routes should be exempt.

Clr Brian Axcell, the borough council's board member for transport, said: "In my opinion all the residential streets of Warrington should be 20mph, apart from trunk roads."

Colin Daniels, chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce, said: "We would clearly welcome the idea. But the only proviso is the effect it might have on those routes which are regularly used by mobile delivery vans and other business vehicles, and also by buses.

"Discretion needs to be used so that it doesn't have an adverse effect on the running of businesses - but we welcome this more than speed humps, for example."

Rod King, from Warrington Cycle Campaign, said: "Warrington has a car-dependent culture.

"This was developed in the New Town days and it still affects establishment thinking.

"However, it is because we have this culture that Warrington would benefit so much from a 20mph default limit. Most trips made within the town are easily cyclable or walkable."

Cheshire Police said it would support 20mph limits if there was a high degree of new road engineering carried out.

Pedestrians struck at 30mph are 10 times more likely to die than those struck at 20mph.

Nigel Featham, managing director of Warrington Borough Transport, sounded a more cautious note.

He said: "We feel 20mph zones on certain estate roads are an interesting possibility. However, the streets would need to be redesigned to ensure motorists comply and the 20mph zones would need to be chosen carefully."

Sbailey@guardiangrp.co.uk