PLANS to extend York’s 20mph zones look set to win support from council chiefs next week.

City of York Council is expected to agree to extend the areas covered by 20mph speed limits to the south-west of the city centre and to approve using Murton as a 20mph speed limit pilot for smaller communities.

The move is part of an election pledge by the city’s new Labour administration to cut road fatalities, despite criticisms it could cost as much as £1 million.

Council leader James Alexander said: “This is the beginning of the manifesto pledge that we were elected on and will be great news to local people in residential areas.”

Micklegate ward Liberal Democrat spokesman Ashley Mason criticised the proposal to introduce a 20mph speed limit along most of Bishopthorpe Road.

He said the shopping area near Nunnery Lane should have a 20mph limit, but elsewhere the case for a change was less clear cut.

He has lodged an objection to the plan with the council.

In a statement to next Tuesday’s meeting, he says: “I am concerned that the proposal to extend the South Bank 20 mph speed limit trial has been slipped onto the agenda without appearing in the council’s Forward programme until last Tuesday. Prior to that date a reference was made to a 20 mph speed limit trial in “Bishopthorpe”. This gives Micklegate ward residents very little time to make representations.”

Officials estimate the measures would cost between £750,000 and £1m to implement in York.

According to the Institute of Advanced Motorists, pedestrian fatalities nationally have gone down 40 per cent since 2005, from 671 to 405 with 96 per cent of pedestrian accidents happening on urban roads.

Julie Townsend, Brake campaigns director, said: “We’re calling on local authorities to … put in place more widespread 20mph limits, which are a cost-effective way to help make our communities safer, healthier, more family-friendly places.”

Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat transport minister, said: “For a child, being hit at 30mph and 20mph is the difference between life and death. But this is also about making our town centres more attractive places to live and work, and reducing carbon emissions by encouraging people to cycle or walk.”