HIGHWAYS chiefs are being urged to look at the 'effectiveness' of 20mph zones rolled out across the borough at a cost of almost £644,000.

Between 2012 and 2015 the 20mph limits came into force on the town's roads as part of the safety initiative.

It cost a total of £643,860, which was taken from the local transport plan – a central Government-funded budget allocation.

Manchester City Council could be set to halt its 20mph speed limit roll-out due to concerns over it 'failing to cut accident rates'.

Paul Kennedy, former leader of the town's Conservative group, opposed the roll-out after seeing 'no clear evidence of its benefits' and – despite leaving the council – he is still questioning their 'effectiveness'.

He believes the funds have been 'wasted' and 'could have been better spent elsewhere or not at all'.

He added: "I have always felt that such blanket speed limits have detracted from low speed limits that were previously put in place to protect the most vulnerable areas, such as outside primary schools."

The council said any changes to the enforcement of 20mph zones would be 'as a result of Cheshire Police engagement outside of the council's scope'.

A spokesman added: "Pilot schemes were launched in February 2009 and ran for an 18-month period.

"This provided sufficient information that there were environmental benefits to providing the lower limit and an additional benefit of some injury collision reduction.

"The benefits of 20mph speed limits include casualty reductions of typically 20 per cent, better and fairer sharing of roads, increased active travel and quieter neighbourhoods.

"Mobile and static camera enforcement is undertaken by the Cheshire road safety group and no additional sites have been provisioned during the 20mph roll-out.

"No additional police enforcement resource has been introduced on the 20mph roads over and above that which occurred on the same roads while they were 30mph.

"With the borough-wide delivery completed in 2015 there are no further plans for additional 20mph roads.

"However, on request, the authority may make assessment and recommendation on queried lengths of carriageway."

Cllr Peter Walker (LD – Stockton Heath), who formerly represented Appleton, believes the 20mph limits are 'effective'.

He said: "My experience is that drivers have lowered their speed in these areas in Appleton and Stockton Heath, compared to when the speed limit was 30mph.

"Perhaps all drivers are not doing 20mph but, by far the majority, are now travelling at significantly less than 30mph – that has got to be good."