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Greens demand 20mph speed limit
By David Williams, Evening Standard Last updated at 09:54am on 16.05.07
The Greens want to introduce a 20mph speed limit
A speed limit of 20mph could be introduced across much of London within three years.
The measure, which would affect central London and residential areas where the limit is usually 30mph, is being demanded by the London Assembly Green Party, backed by road safety experts.
Jenny Jones, the Mayor's Green road safety adviser, said she had discussed the plan with Ken Livingstone and that he backs more 20mph zones, but needed a little "arm-twisting" to accept their introduction across London.
The Greens propose that 20mph would become the "default" limit on all London roads and councils would have to make a special case to exempt strategic routes such as bus routes and trunk roads. The limit would be enforced by new speed cameras.
At the same time, thousands of road humps, pinch-points and chicanes would be removed. Ms Jones said: "Making 20mph the normal speed limit would save lives and money and give a major boost to cyclists, who would feel safer."
Roger Geffen of cyclists' organisation CTC, said: "20mph makes sense not just for road safety; it also means cleaner air, less congestion and more people taking up cycling and walking. It would cut costs and bureaucracy enormously."
A study of 20mph zones in London found that they halved the number of people killed or seriously injured.
Reader views (23)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
The average speed on London's road is already only 11.9 mph. This speed limit is therefore unecessary. All this is is yet another way of trying to fine us loadsamoney. Just think of all the thousands of new speed traps that will result from this measure.
- Jim, London
We are becoming a really selfish nation, if driving at 20 mph reduces road deaths of children, why do people want to ignore it, if it was their child or gandchild who was killed, then they would soon change their minds and advocate restrictions in built up areas. As for teaching people to drive properly, people soon slip into bad habits and succumb to the pressures of the rush of modern living. People need to realise that the right to drive comes with a responsibility for the safety of others and if sensible ways are introduced to cut accidents, then they should be welcomed. If a child runs out from between parked cars, no matter how good your driving record is, if you hit them at 30 mph, they are more likely to die than if you hit them at 20 mph.
- Andrew, London
Cyclists are not the only people using the roads in London, I'm sick of hearing how hard done by they are. Obviously the slower you are driving the less damage you would do IF you were unlucky enough to be in an accident. However, in over 20 years of driving (with I might add an unblemished record), it is my experience that Sunday drivers who crawl along at a snail's pace are actually the ones that cause accidents! Teaching people to drive properly would be a much better start to eradicating accidents on our roads. As for this being a 'green' issue. Please stop insulting our intelligence, dropping from 30 to 20 mph will not make the slightest bit of difference.
- Geraldine, London
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