Calls have been made for a county-wide speed limit of 20mph in all residential areas.

It is hoped the reduction would be similar to those introduced in London, Bristol and Leeds.  

Councillor Angela Goodwin made the suggestion at Surrey County Council and Guildford Borough Council Local Committee meeting on Wednesday, June 13.

She said more and more councils across the country were introducing 20mph roads in residential areas, speaking after residents handed in a petition about a road where they claim an "accident is waiting to happen".

“I suspect Surrey’s local and joint committees will be receiving more and more petitions from residents who have similar concerns in their areas," she said.

"So this does need to be more widely considered by Surrey Highways and the Police.”

She cited Leeds, where 90 residential areas have the limit, as an example, and said similar measures in Bristol had improved the air quality.

She added: “20mph are best practice for pedestrians, cyclists, schools and residential streets and are increasingly an affordable tool to tackle air action areas.

“I urge Surrey Highways to reconsider their strategy for residential roads, plan ahead and make Surrey a safe and healthy place for our residents to live in.”