NEW 20mph speed limits could be introduced in all residential areas of Neston and Ellesmere Port.

A petition calling for the crackdown attracted 1,569 signatures and sparked a debate at Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Chester resident Cathy Harrington addressing a town hall meeting on Thursday, told councillors: “You have recently implemented the cycling strategy, which is great.

"Now let’s take the next logical step and implement 20mph speed limits in all residential areas.

“What is there to wait for? We can’t afford to put this off.”

Councillor David Robinson put forward a motion calling to bring forward the 20mph restrictions.

He said: “This is about road safety, it’s about protecting vulnerable road-users.”

But Cllr Gareth Anderson argued: “Many people believe - and I think perfectly reasonably – that a blanket 20mph speed limit everywhere is the wrong thing to do."

He said the lowered limit could only be effective and enforceable in areas where the local community has specifically requested for it to be introduced.

The issue now will be discussed further at a scrutiny committee meeting.