Gateshead Council's draft speed management plan is aimed at matching speed limits to local conditions.

This would bring in a 20mph limit in high street shopping areas, and variable limits outside schools which alter according to the time of day.

The plans were approved by the cabinet on Tuesday and will go before a full council meeting next year.

Consultation

The measures have been drawn up by consultants, and identify appropriate speed limits for different types of roads, something which the consultants say could lead to a significant increase in the number of 20mph residential zones.

In some areas speed limits may be set as low as 10mph.

David Leader, the council's head of environment strategy said: "It would be housing estates where this could be introduced in consultation with local residents.

"The whole area would be designed for that level of speed in order for children to be able to play safely outside their homes."

In 2003 there were more than 750 accidents on Gateshead's roads, with more than 1,000 people injured.