LEADING councillors have agreed to push the government for more funding so a 20mph speed limit could be introduced in most residential roads across Bolton.

Cllr Norman Critchley highlighted the issue at the full council meeting, arguing the government also needed to reduce the regulations covering legal orders and signage for 20mph zones, to allow local authorities to implement the speed limit more easily.

The Bromley Cross councillor first raised the issue in April 2013, after which councillors unanimously agreed to introduce a mandatory 20mph speed limit on most residential roads within two years.

But town hall bosses admitted earlier this month that the plan has been delayed due to a shortage of cash.

Cllr Critchley said: “The simple fact is that a child hit at 20mph has a very good chance of surviving, while a child hit at 30mph has a very poor chance, and that is also the case for adults.

“I have heard some criticism of these speed limits but I wonder if the people who are criticising this are the same idiots driving at 60mph past our schools.”

The executive member for highways and transport, Cllr David Chadwick, said the local authority has made some progress on 20mph speed limits, including making Horwich town centre the borough’s biggest 20mph zone.

He added that the council was continually looking for ways to fund a speed limit reduction, including grants from central government, using agreements from developers and dedicating funds from area forum budgets.

Cllr Chadwick said: “I don’t think anybody in this council wouldn’t support Cllr Critchley’s aspiration.

“What it is all about, and what a lot of people fail to recognise, is that the speed limit is the maximum speed limit, not the minimum.

“It’s all about self discipline, and driving at the appropriate speed.”