A GROUP calling for safer roads across Colchester has launched its campaign for 20mph speed limits across the city.

The Twenty’s Plenty group has formed in Colchester, saying the tragic deaths of Alliyah Bell and Taylen Ireton as examples that should fuel the introduction of 20mph speed limits across Colchester.

A jury found Daniel Chappell, 37, of Prince Philip Road, Colchester guilty of death by careless driving after he ran over 19-year-old Alliyah on Hythe Hill in August 2021.

Alliyah was thrown 25 metres down the road and run over by Chappell’s car, which was travelling at 39.5mph in Hythe Hill.

In September, 13-year-old Taylen Ireton lost his life in Mersea Road.

Devastating - The campaign group holds the deaths of two teenagers in Colchester in their thoughts Devastating - The campaign group holds the deaths of two teenagers in Colchester in their thoughts (Image: Newsquest) The teenager’s death inspired a petition which now has more than 1,700 signatures and is calling to get the speed limit along the 2.5-mile road down to 20mph.

This week, the Twenty’s Plenty group has begun its campaign by promoting the benefits of having a default speed of 20mph throughout the city where people live, work and play.

Next month, they will rally outside Colchester Town Hall ahead of a motion advocating 20mph speed limits being debated by the council.

Rally - Campaigners hold their 20mph signs while promoting the benefits of the speed limit reduction Rally - Campaigners hold their 20mph signs while promoting the benefits of the speed limit reduction (Image: Jean Quinn) Jean Quinn, Twenty’s Plenty for Colchester coordinator, said: “With the tragic fatalities in the city this year painfully in mind, we feel that it is time to reduce death and injuries on our roads by reducing vehicle speed and thereby not only saving lives but also creating a healthier town in which to live.

“We already have this speed limit piecemeal in pockets of the city, for example Rowhedge and parts of New Town, but we would like to see it coordinated and adopted throughout the city, not just in bits and pieces which is more expensive to bring about.”

Debate - The 20mph speed limit motion will be debated at the full council meeting on December 5Debate - The 20mph speed limit motion will be debated at the full council meeting on December 5 (Image: Newsquest) The Twenty’s Plenty movement was formed in 2007 and has been campaigning across the nation for more road safety and speed reductions in towns and villages.

Supporting 700 local groups, the not-for-profit Community Interest Company is striving to follow Wales where a national 20mph default for residential roads was implemented in 2023.

Campaigners will hold a rally outside Colchester Town Hall on December 5, with the motion advocating 20mph being debated that evening.