Well, it seems Southend Council will soon put in the last nail in its coffin, If it sets the speed limit to 20mph along the seafront, it will just be about raising cash and nothing to do with safety. Also it will add to pollution not reduce it.

What with the parking, I for one will give Southend a big miss.

To make my point on the pollution, I spent most of my working life in motor vehicle development and I have yet to see a car or lorry that puts out less pollution at a low speed, than a reasonable say, 60mph.

In fact, 56 mph was used as a guide for best emissions – pollution output – and economy on vehicles under development.

These values may have changed since I retired seven years ago.

To hold a speed of 20mph, most cars of today will need to be in a low, probably second, gear.

The engine speed to achieve this will in most cases be the same as if the vehicle was doing, say, 50mph-60mph in a high gear. Hence the fuel used to cover the same distance at 20mph, will be more.

This of course equals less mileage on your gallon of fuel, which is taxed to the hilt, and more pollution to cover the same distance.

So, the limit of 20mph must be just for raising revenue.

R Lawson
Grove Road
Stanford-le-Hope