Thousands of people are calling for a 20mph speed limit in the centre of Leek.

Residents do not feel safe in Leek town centre, a community leader has told Staffordshire County Council, and the authority is being urged to take action including providing safe crossing spaces for pedestrians.

In October 2021 Leek councillor Charlotte Atkins presented the first part of a petition to the county council. Since then more signatures have been collected and on Thursday (February 10) they were handed in to the authority by Councillor Atkins.

She said: "The petition now numbers 4,000 signatures and I'm pretty sure I'm going to have some more to come.

"It's asking for a 20mph speed limit within Leek to make it safer, the air better and to make it a more pleasurable experience to walk around Leek and enjoy its lovely historic town centre. I hope Highways is listening."

Leek resident Roger Warrilow has organised the petition.

He said: "For a petition to be accepted you need a minimum of 5,000 signatures, which hopefully will be accomplished by the next full council meeting in March.

"Leek town centre pedestrian and traffic concerns have been badly planned and executed since the removal of the town centre floral roundabout ten years ago, resulting in safety issues and traffic problems.

"The very least the Staffordshire County Highways Department can do is introduce a 20mph speed limit in our ancient market town centre. Leek hopes with this petition, to spearhead and support 20's Plenty for Staffordshire.

"The campaign is for a speed limit of 20mph to be normal on residential streets and in towns and village centres."

Leek is not the only Staffordshire area to support the introduction of 20mph zones.

The 20's Plenty for Staffordshire group asked the county council last year to scrutinise its current policy on 20mph speed limits, as well as considering future plans, potential funding sources and budgets to roll out more schemes.

County councillors decided not to undertake further scrutiny of the introduction of 20 mph limits at the time but to consider reviewing the situation at a later date.

Last month Barlaston Parish Council added its support to the 20's Plenty for Staffordshire campaign and Fradley and Streethay Parish Council has also considered the move.

The group said: "We believe that 20mph speed limits would greatly reduce road casualties in towns and villages in Staffordshire.

"Half of all road casualties occur in 30mph areas and highway authorities across the UK are achieving big reductions in road casualties using just 20mph speed limits signs in existing 30mph areas. Lower speed limits also reduce traffic pollution and noise, help keep traffic moving more smoothly, provide a much better environment for the community to walk and cycle and are popular with residents.

"Using just 20mph signs is effective in reducing traffic speeds and is much more cost effective than using '20mph zones'. 20 mphzones are legally required to have traffic calming such as humps that are not only expensive but also are unpopular with residents.

"Road casualties are predictable and preventable, yet 229 were killed or seriously injured in 2019 – up 15% from the year before. Normalising 20mph speed limits is the step change in policy that could radically further reduce road deaths and injuries by over 20%, in line with globally-agreed road safety best practice.

"People are happier in 20mph areas. Fewer are suffering the lifelong effects of injuries, children can walk to school and to see family and friends. Older people can keep their independent mobility longer."