TWENTY miles per hour speed limits will finally become a reality for two central Winchester neighbourhoods.

The new limits will come into force in Winnall and Highcliffe after the city’s officers recommended the move.

A public consultation was held at the end of last year and the council received no letters of objection, so the decision was not taken to a committee meeting.

Cllr Victoria Weston, Portfolio Holder for Built Environment, rubber stamped the project at the end of January and the limits are expected to be in place by the spring.

The cost of the scheme in Highcliffe is expected to be around £4,500. Another £2,500, needed for 20mph road markings, will come from the Traffic Management Agency, in agreement with the county council.

In Winnall, the total cost, including advertising of the new limits, could reach £3,900. Again, the remaining costs of £1,900 for road markings, will be covered by the Traffic Management Agency.

Plans to slow traffic have widespread support on both the city and county councils, and last year they proposed 20mph limits for the city centre.

But motoring group the AA warned against the move, suggesting it would “slow the pace of the city”.

And in May last year, county bosses put their ‘Residential 20’ pilot for Stanmore on hold when residents snubbed a consultation, with just 16 per cent of questionnaires completed.

But Highcliffe, Winnall and Stanmore will all see the new limits following an executive decision by county councillor Seán Woodward in September last year and the subsequent green light from Winchester City Council.