YORK’S transport bosses have been urged to press ahead with plans to reduce city speed limits, after the Government announced it was to make changes easier.

Norman Baker, the regional and local transport minister, has outlined moves to cut the bureaucracy and cost of bringing in the lower limits by allowing councils to use signs painted on roads instead of more expensive fixed ones.

The Department for Transport is also reducing the need for authorities to use speed humps in 20mph zones and making variable speed limits outside schools cheaper and easier.

City of York Council’s controlling Labour group vowed to support a cross-city 20mph limit in its local election manifesto.

Green leader Coun Andy D’Agorne said the council should now reveal how it intends to move forward.

He said: “If local people are convinced of the benefits and drive accordingly, overall speed levels can be reduced without humps or police activity.”

He said ward councillors should be directly involved in discussing the plans with residents. In his Fishergate ward, there is already a residential 20mph area and petitions have been submitted from other streets.

Coun D’Agorne said: “We should no longer have to have people injured to justify a lower speed limit. But we need a coherent plan and to work with local residents to make sure it works effectively.”

Coun Dave Merrett, cabinet member for city strategy, said: “Rather than new signage to indicate 20mph speed limits, councils will be able to have signs painted on roads.

“We were always keen to promote the 20mph policy without adding to street furniture. This is very welcome news and will enable us to meet York residents’ wishes for 20mph in a more cost-effective way.”

He said Labour was now working with council officers on how to implement a city-wide 20mph limit in residential areas following the Government guidance.

A blanket 20mph limit for York was ruled out under the council’s previous Liberal Democrat administration.