LAKES parish councillors have voted to oppose a proposed 20mph speed limit through Ambleside on the grounds that it would add to environmental pollution.

Reporting on the speed limit proposed by the Lakes Area Action Plan, Coun Anne Parker said it was purely for the safety of pedestrians and children, especially in view of efforts to initiate a "walking train" of children taking safe routes to school, and a 20mph limit had been requested by local people themselves.

But councillors were concerned that 20mph would be extremely slow in some instances, especially when roads were quiet at night, and their concerns were supported by Sgt Ken Jewell, who said that, in the experience of the police, most traffic problems were self-regulatory.

"At busy times, with a lot of people about when things are most dangerous, traffic tends to move more slowly anyway - at other times, it moves quicker and there is no danger," he said.

"There are instances in Ambleside when cars travelling at 30mph cause no problems at all.

"The problem police have is enforcement - we have limited resources to police the 30mph speed limit as it is, and we would not be there all the time enforcing a 20mph speed limit by any means."

Sgt Jewell added that, although some local officers were being trained to use hand-held speed detection equipment, it was limited in its use and police still would not be able to engage in enforcement campaigns.

Coun Margaret Fuller pointed out that to drive a modern car at less than 20mph meant changing to a lower gear, using more fuel and causing more pollution.

Coun Edna Garlick pointed out that a reduction in speed limit did not necessarily mean a reduction in accident rates.

And Coun Donald Cook said local opinion was divided.

Councillors stressed the decision to object to a 20mph limit had been taken particularly on environmental and pollution grounds.