In just a few weeks almost every street in Portsmouth will have its limit cut after the pioneering scheme started in June last year.

Last week 20mph signs were unveiled in residential roads in Fratton, Copnor, Baffins and part of Buckland.

Now only one more section of the city remains to be covered by the scheme.

This includes Somers Town, Landport, Portsea, Old Portsmouth and west Southsea, which is expected to go 20mph this spring.

Councillor Alex Bentley, who is in charge of traffic and transportation at the city council, said: 'I'm delighted that we're continuing to roll out the 20mph scheme across the city and improve the safety of the people who live in these areas.

'Most of our residential streets are just not suitable for speeds of more than 20mph, and we're sending a message to the reckless minority of drivers that they must drive safely. A pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 20mph is likely to suffer slight injuries, but at 30mph they're likely to be severely hurt.

'At 40mph or above they're likely to be killed.'

The new 20mph signs are being placed where drivers enter the new speed restrictions, and repeater signs act as reminders.

Residents will be consulted in each area before signs go up and the roads included are listed on leaflets sent home with schoolchildren and also made available at libraries, GP surgeries, health centres and community centres.

Road humps will not be part of the scheme, although if speeds do not drop on particular roads, then residents will be consulted again to see if they want additional measures.

In most cases the 20mph limit will be self-enforcing but police say they are monitoring how it is being obeyed.

The scheme, funded by the government, has received interest from other councils, with Norwich already exploring a similar move.

Cllr Bentley added: 'The safer our streets are, the more people will be encouraged to walk and cycle.'