Twenty's plenty campaigners are likely to be disappointed by Dorset Council's response to a plea for county-wide 20mph zones.

Highways portfolio holder councillor Ray Bryan says that while he supports the principal of the idea – in practice it is difficult to achieve.

The response was prompted at this week's full council meeting by a question from speed campaigner David Frankl.

He says that by having more 20mph zones not only will roads be safer, but there will be an improvement in air quality and climate change as well.

Mr Frankl asked the council to commit to a requirement for 20mph limits on all new housing developments and where electors, or town and parish councils have requested a lowering of the speed limit – or where there are no, or inadequate pavements.

Cllr Bryan said the authority was currently reviewing its approach to setting 20mph limits, including how best to accommodate 20mph limit/zones for new housing developments. He said that most housing schemes already designed estate roads for 20mph traffic.

Said Cllr Bryan: "Dorset Council supports in principle the introduction of 20mph speed limits and zones where it is appropriate to do so. However it is not possible to commit to 20mph limit becoming the so called 'normal speed limit' as there will likely remain a number of roads where higher speed limits remain appropriate, particularly in rural areas and roads that are on the outskirts of urban areas."