A councillor has called for speed bumps to be banned, claiming that they are causing climate change.

Conservative councillor Philip Desmonde made the comments at a meeting of Cornwall Council’s Cabinet on Wednesday (July 24).

The Cabinet was discussing a climate change action plan which has been drawn up in response to the council declaring a climate emergency in January.

Cllr Desmonde welcomed the report and then suggested that there needed to be some “quick wins” added and called for the end of speed bumps.

In suggesting the quick win he said: “To remove or require no further use of speed bumps. The acceleration and deceleration of vehicles outside schools in particular, it was all done in good faith at the time but they are completely wrong.”

Cllr Desmonde said that there was a road in his area which had speed bumps and when it was resurfaced he was told they would not be reinstated but then they reappeared.

He said: “It is wrong and we have got to be clear that we don’t do these sorts of things. They are expensive, a waste of time and cause pollution. A quick win, no more speed bumps.”

Speed bumps are usually placed in roads as a traffic calming measure to slow down traffic and prevent accidents.

They are usually placed outside schools to protect children who might be crossing the road to ensure their safety.

In responding to Cllr Desmonde council leader Julian German said that there were no quick wins in the report as the council was already doing a lot of things to combat climate change.