RESIDENTS are pushing for 20mph speed limits in and around Wellington with a recently launched ‘20’s plenty’ campaign.

Proposed road signs will save lives and reduce pollution, campaigners have said.

Founder of The Big House Co, Ben Fox has launched the campaign with support from his wife Victoria, son Tom and his company The Big House Co.

Ben says the cause is one he has been passionate about for more than 15 years.

He said: “The roads are downright dangerous.

“There are some roads that people hurtle along, and I cycle and walk a lot, and there are lots of elderly residents, and I do think it’s why very few children cycle to school.”

A petition has been started online with the aim of eventually pitching the proposal to Wellington Town Council, and later Somerset Council, and has so far received eight signatures of the 100-signature goal.

The campaigners say that lowering the speed limit would reduce the severity and frequency of collisions, and improve cycling and walking confidence, in turn reducing local pollution.

The site, put together by Ben’s son Tom, notes that “a person walking is up to five times more likely to be killed if hit by a vehicle travelling at 30mph than if they were hit at 20mph.”

Ben added: “The campaign’s end goal is to have the speed limit in and around the town.

“The reaction on social media so far has been fantastic and I think that’s because these speed limits do have such a lovely calming effect on towns.

“I think Welly is growing at a reasonably rapid rate so it would be good to have it sooner rather than later, and it would be nice not to be one of the last.”