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Mayor dashes hopes for 20mph speed limit across the capital
David Williams, Motoring Editor08.10.08
Plans for a "blanket" 20mph speed limit covering most of London have been scrapped, campaigners claim.
Former mayor Ken Livingstone had encouraged councils to make a wholesale switch from 30mph to 20mph, amid evidence that the slower limits could cut accidents and injuries by half.
But new mayor Boris Johnson now says boroughs will only be allowed to create small local schemes, dashing hopes of a pan-London zone.
The change of policy emerged today as Lewisham launched a bid to become the first borough to set up an allencompassing 20mph zone.
It asked Transport for London to fund the venture, but Mr Johnson rejected the bid on money-saving grounds.
He said he would support 20mph zones in residential areas where local people wanted them. But because of "finite budgets", priority would only go to areas with a high number of accidents - especially those involving vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians-The Green Party attacked his decision, claiming it would cost " hundreds" of lives.
They cited City Hall figures that show that nine out of 10 pedestrians die if they are hit by a car travelling at 40mph, while two out of 10 are killed at 30mph and one in 40 die at 20mph. The party added that the Mayor's move also dashed the plans of Hackney and Camden councils, which had been expected to make their boroughs 20mph
Darren Johnson, leader of the Green Party on the London Assembly, said: "After working to secure funding from TfL under the previous mayor for an innovative approach to borough-wide 20mph limits in residential areas, rather than the current piecemeal approach, I am disappointed Boris Johnson has backtracked and is merely proposing business as usual.
"This is a particular blow to Lewisham, where there was genuine enthusiasm for being the first 20mph borough, with cross-party support.
"A previous study showed 20mph areas have reduced casualties by over half in London. Cameras, rather than speed humps, could be used to enforce 20mph, with some exceptions for major roads. It would smooth traffic flows, reduce emissions and encourage more people to switch to cycling."
A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "The Mayor is in complete support of 20mph zones in residential areas where local people are in favour of them or if there has been a history of accidents.
"However, he has a similar budget available to support 20mph zones as his predecessor and recognises the money must be spent wisely across London; with priority for financial support given to residential areas where the greatest safety benefits would be."
London currently has more than 1,300 miles of road with a 20mph limit - about 20 per cent of the capital.
Reader views (23)
Ross claims he's a cyclist, but I doubt it very much. More likely a member of the Association of Barmy Drivers or Safe Speeders or Pistonheads. 99.999% of cyclists support a London-wide 20mph limit, and for the obvious reasons, and given that the vast majority of people who DON'T cycle don't cycle because of their fear of being killed or seriously injured by fast-moving traffic, and given that tens of thousands - probably hundreds of thousands - more people would cycle if there WAS a 20mph wide limit, it beggars belief that Ross really is a cyclist.
He also uses the '0mph' bogus argument that the friends of the Speedfreaks have been using in recent years - ie the ABD and SS and Pistonheads etc - which about says it all. Ross is an impostor, of that I have no doubt, and anyone who is, in effect, opposed to reducing the number of people being killed and injured on London's roads by 50% or so obviously couldn't care less about the carnage or the devastation that it causes.
The reality is that in such a scenario - if the 20mph limit were strictly enforced - the number of fatalities could and would be reduced by about 90%, and the more serious of the serious injury collisions in which people are permanently crippled and/or braindamaged or maimed reduced by 80-90%. But neither Ross, or Boris Johnson for that matter, give a damn about that.
- Alan, Harrow
Can Adam explain why he labels those campaigning for safer roads and a reduction in the number of people killed and crippled - around 10,000 a year - as "the anti-car mob"? It is of course just propaganda gibberish!
And speed and speeding are by far the biggest factor in road deaths Peter, and THAT is a fact, despite your attempts to distort reality. In Hull, where they have a widespread programme of road humps and 20mph limits, road deaths have been reduced by 90% in these areas.
As for most serious and fatal collisions being caused by "bad driving" and "inattention", then how is it that male drivers commit 94% of driving offences in which people are killed or seriously injured. Even allowing for the additional number of male drivers and the additional average annual mileage, male drivers are still eight times more likely to kill or seriously injure someone than female drivers. Do male drivers just happen to be some eight times more inattentive than female drivers, or eight times more likely to drive badly, or could it be that male drivers - but by no means all - tend to drive faster and more aggressively than female drivers. We all know the answer of course!
Anyway, don't forget to renew your membership to the Association of Barmy Drivers will yer lads!
- Alan, Harrow
Well done Boris for standing up to the anti-car mob.
- Adam, Harrow, UK
It would be better to educate pedestrians not to walk out in front of cars, and even if you were doing 30mph, you would be breaking very hard to avoid the idiot , that has just walked out in front of you without looking, so you will probably be going at around 15mph on point of impact. Also can you imagine driving at 20mph at 3 in the morning when the roads are deserted, it would be very frustrating.
- Paul G, Epsom uk
Everyone is entitled to their views, and this site provides people with a springboard from which to air them. But, it such a shame that ignorance of such an important subject as this, can cloud the real facts.
The real facts, are there for anyone with a computer to look up and see. "Speed is not the biggest factor in road deaths"
This is not something dreamt up by a New-Labour spindoctor, this is a FACT.
- Peter Thurgood, London, UK
why do people bang on about cars so much its a safer way to commute thats why people drive who honestly would walk through hackney day or night whilst drug dealers wait for their next victim all this about community spirit it doesnt excist road humps work end of
- David, london
Proponents of 20 limits regard them as a panacea that will end all road safety problems. They should read the extensive literature on the subject, including the govt's own "design for streets". Inappropriately low limits are ignored by the majority of drivers and devalue limits where they are needed. Boris seems to be acting in a sensible manner.
- Tom Stickland, Stroud
20mph default limit would create the conditions in which better streets for people and families can thrive, where parents feel less threatened by their children playing outside, and there is more understanding between pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles, and crucially far better safety. It's a shame if Boris is scrapping this progressive and sustainable policy.
- Jack Skillen, Hackney Living Streets, Hackney, London
Perverse, the cheapest and most effective solution is to have an all covering 20 mph limit across London. Then drivers would only need to see 20 mph signs as they entered London, or ,faster speed moved onto urban motorways.Instead we will have a piecemeal approacj, which will cost one borough probably the same price as doing the whole of London.
Lives will continued to be lost as drivers speed 40mph plus in town centres and residential areas, each one will be a testamount to this poor ignorant decision.
Make London a more pleasant place Johnson.!
- David Franks, hackney
Since there is no speed enforcement on London's minor roads I can't see what difference this makes. I live in a 20mph zone with the only deterrent being token speed cushions that have almost no effect on most vehicles - and the limit is universally ignored.
- Mike Hestin, Hackney, UK
TFL under Red Ken was run by a bunch of anti roads extremists. Roads and vehicles won't always be polluting - look at electrical cars etc. London's roads have suffered for years with neglect, and now TFL - if you read their web site - have a policy not to do anything which increases the capacity of our crowded roads. Added to which - TFL seems to view roads as recreation spaces as opposed to a means to get somewhere - hence the mad cap plan for a 20mph speed limit.
- Huw Morgan, London
Onya Boris.
- Ag Musgrove, Winchester
"It is a proven fact that the majority of accidents are not caused through speed at all" - according to who? Professor Boozer of the University of Down the Pub?
- Austen, London
Hurrah!
We've got a 20mph zone in Southwark where I live, 5 minutes from The Gonad, and nobody ruddy consulted us. Huge speed bumps all over, it's horrible watching the ambulances going over them.
Kind of laugh when the police cars hit them at speed though.
In streets with schools or facilities for old people (if there are any) it make's sense.
As far as accidents are concerned how about bringing back the green cross code adverts? Actually teaching pedestrians to be responsible as well as drivers instead of just blaming drivers for everything?
The country in Europe with the best record for not mowing down pedestrians is Germany. Germany also have stringently enforced laws against jaywalking - pedestrians crossing roads in an irresponsible manner. Drive down up and down the New Kent Road at Elephant and Castle and try NOT to hit anyone running out under your wheels. There are pedestrian crossings and tunnels, I've used them. I guess I'm the only one.
- Thalia, London
Thank goodness, we finally have a mayor who listens to the silent majority and ignores the vociferous minority (eg Dan, East London).
I always wondered where the surveys were to see how many people get hit in 20mph zones rather than how many survive – I suspect the total is very high given that in a street where children might be playing, a driver would be much safer with his eyes on the road than constantly on the speedo.
- St, London
yep we voted for him Dan, and refreshing to see that you will still be able to drive across london in less than a day. spend the money on teaching kids not to run in the road! 0% of people not hit by a car because they looked where the hell they were going died.
- Jonty, london
Good for Boris. It is a proven fact that the majority of accidents are not caused through speed at all, but through poor driving and negligence whilst driving, of one kind or another.
As for Lewisham wanting to be the first borough to implement this ruling, I am so pleased they have been turned down on the grounds of priority only going to areas with a high number of accidents.
This is exactly what a member of Lewisham council told me when I asked for a mini roundabout to be put in place opposite where I live because of all the near accidents there.
This is what I call a taste of their own medicine.
- Peter Thurgood, London, UK
a 20 mph speed limit ? i wonder how many speed camera's will suddenly appear on the streets ! the government will say its to cut accidents but the truth is its another way of fleecing motorists !
- Peter Killick, Hartlepool United Kingdom
People of London - this is what you voted for.
and it's flippin fantastic news....Yippee!
Common sense makes return to London. KenCuckoo world voted out!
- Ethan, UK, formerly East London
20 mph you have got to be smoking Crack..
Get a Grip.. imagine how much it will cost to change the entire city over! Maybe you councils and the Green Extremists Should educate Drivers and Pedestrians IN stead! I will show you: Pedestrians Look both ways when crossing the street and Drivers Be cautious and slow down when you see people trying to cross the street! There done and i Saved the city and all it's Tax payers million. MOVE ON
- Phil, London
Good. I am completely against a blanket 20 mph speed limit. I cycle about 75% of the time and drive the other 25% so I am aware of what it is like to be a vulnerable road user. London's roads are so heterogeneous that it is inappropriate to set a 20 mph limit everywhere. Absolute speed does not kill; inappropriate use of speed is what is dangerous. An experienced driver who is concentrating on their driving will be less of a danger to others if s/he is driving at 40 mph, than someone who is distracted with back seat kids etc, driving at 20 mph. Why don't we just extrapolate the theory to its logical conclusion and impose a limit of 0 mph? We could then guarantee that there would be zero casualties per annum.
Finally, a significant number of roads could be made significantly safer if local councils redesigned them slightly. E.g. there is a tight, blind bend on a residential road next to me. There are no parking restrictions, so vehicles park around the bend. Even when you crawl at 5 mph around the bend, you cannot see what is around it. I have asked the council to paint double yellow lines around the bend, as this would drastically improve one's sight lines, but they refused, stating it is "not their policy to reduce parking places". However, they are currently in the process of introducing a 20 mph zone in the area! Why is there no common sense with those in charge?
- Ross, London, UK
a 20 mph limit will NOT reduce emissions. To travel at 20mph most cars will be in second gear and a test by I believe Auto Express found that petrol consumption was increased by 10 % and thus a corresponding rise in CO2
- Daviud Jones, Chelmsford, UK
People of London - this is what you voted for.
Sigh....
- Dan, East London
