CALLS for a 10mph top speed with motorists having to give way to pedestrians and cyclists in some urban areas have been made in the House of Commons. Peterborough MP Helen Brinton introduced a 10 Minute Rule Bill proposing that highway authorities would have the power to introduce 'home zones' in residential areas to promote road safety and clean-up the environment.

The Bill, which will have its second reading on March 6, also called for signing, traffic calming measures and landscaping features. There are no home zones in the UK, but Brinton told the House they had proved to be 'popular and effective' in Austria, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. Existing legislation allows for the introduction of 20 mph speed limits. It is believed there are around 300 20mph zones in operation in the UK.