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20mph limit for London
David Williams and Ross Lydall22.01.08
Most of London could be subject to a 20mph speed limit under new plans.
Mayor Ken Livingstone is encouraging each of the capital's 33 councils to launch their own borough-wide "safety zones", after evidence that they cut accidents and injuries by half.
Until now boroughs have only been allowed to introduce 20mph limits in limited pockets - and only if they install costly enforcement measures including humps and speed cameras.
But from today, the Mayor will announce, councils will be able to make 20mph the "default" speed across the borough - with or without enforcement measures.
Transport for London will exempt major through-routes where motorists will still be able to do 30mph, in negotiation with each borough. TfL has approved trials of wireless cameras capable of enforcing area-wide speed limits. One in 10 roads - roughly 12 per cent of the road network in the capital - is already covered by 20mph zones.
But transport experts believe that most roads in London will soon have a 20mph limit, making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Boroughs will not have to install speed cameras or humps but will get backing from TfL if they prove a need.
The restrictions are likely to be enforced by speed cameras and new road designs as Mr Livingstone is an opponent of more road humps.
He said today: "Twenty miles per hour speed limits save lives and make our neighbourhoods better. These measures will build on what we have already done so that the quality of life in our local neighbourhoods is improved for everyone. I think if you can say 20mph zones without the road humps there won't be any opposition."
According to City Hall, nine out of 10 pedestrians will be killed if hit by a car travelling at 40mph, two out of 10 will die if struck at 30mph but his drops to one in 40 at 20mph.
The Mayor has adopted a series of key Green party aims in exchange for its support in passing his annual budget next month. Jenny Jones, of the London Assembly Green Party, said: "Making 20mph the normal speed limit across whole boroughs in London will save lives, save money and give a major boost to cycling, as people would feel safer on their local roads. There would be some exemptions for main roads."
Portsmouth already has 20mph limits in residential areas. Islington almost became the first London area with a borough-wide 20mph limit but the move was defeated by one vote.
Haringey could be the first London borough with a blanket 20mph limit.
It has a number of existing 20mph zones in Tottenham, Seven Sisters, Muswell Hill and Hornsey, and is consulting on new schemes in Wood Green, central Crouch End and Stroud Green, as well as extensions to the Muswell Hill scheme.
The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety says Britain's annual 3,100 road death toll would be cut by two-thirds to around 1,000 a year if all residential areas had 20mph limits.
The Transport Research Laboratory says 20mph limits can cut child road accidents by up to 67 per cent. Richard Curedon, of the TRL, said: "Twenty miles an hour does seem slow but simple physics are that if you're driving at that speed you can hopefully avoid the crash, which at 30 you're going to have."
However the AA said a blanket 20mph speed limit was wrong. Paul Watters, head of roads and transportation policy, said 20mph zones had "huge" benefits - but only when applied judiciously. He said: "If this becomes the default limit across the board it will reduce capacity on London's roads.
"London is geographically big and still has lots of main A-roads where people have to make progress. If some main roads end up with 20mph limits, people will ignore it and this could bring other 20mph zones into disrepute. They should only be introduced on a road by road basis."
Reader views (10)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
As a resident of this village and subjected to heavy traffic which I may add pass a primary school try as we may to obtain some form of slowing down traffic all we are met with is reasons why not i.e. does not meet criteria.
We are now hoping for a 20m.p.h.zone which the government have set targets for. But no doubt we shall be met with opposition from Kent Highways.
- D. A.T. Siggins, Crockenhill Kent
20mph - Brilliant.
I only wish Manchester had someone in power with as much foresight and courage to tackle the car lobby as Ken Livingstone.
- Steve, Manchester
When I drive in London I find it hard to even reach 20 mph in the gridlock.
- Jon, Edgware
The 'new' plan being the removal of the congestion charge at which point gridlock ensues and the area locked covers the entire capital.
Saves lives undoubtedly, but imagine the pollution with all those idling cars and buses.
- Graham, Fleet
The restrictions are likely to be enforced by speed cameras and new road designs as Mr Livingstone is an opponent of more road humps. I suppose the humps don't take into account the sensitivities of ethnic minorities and were probably invented by a white middle class man.
- Steven Patrick M, London, UK
The average speed of traffic through London is 12mph, so what's the difference? I think Ken's grand plan is to slow traffic down to a complete crawl and then levy the congestion charge (or pollution charge depending on what week it is) by the minute... genius!
- Paul, London
Great idea, up to now 20mph schemes have meant loads of silly bumps, Chicanes and meaningless obstructions that have made life more difficult and dangerous for cyclists. Hillingdon have been dreadfull about this, most of their 20mph schemes have broken most of the GLA design rules for safe roads to cycle on.
- David, Hillingdon
I think there should be time speed limits. For example, speed limits for 20-30mph between 7am and 7pm and thereafter, the speed limits should be eased. In the evening or late at night, there are not a lot of cars around so driving at 20-30mph is rather annoying. They should keep streets to 30mph, and national speed limit for dual carriageways.
- D, Tottenham, London
More green eco warrior clap trap. How about making it 10mph or better still ban cars altogether? The mayor should be spending some of the money he gets from car users to educate people on the street how and when to cross the roads. There are traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and bollards, narrowed and single file roads and the pavements are wider in many places than the roads. More awareness of the dangers on crossing roads should be taught from an early age, and the message put across to all in adverts and information points around the country. This constant persecution of motorists will not fix the problems of society, and having a mayor who is a fanatical car hater can not be good for London. He has been elected to represent all the people of London and if he can't do that then he shouldn’t be in office.
- Mr S. Port, London
20mph? That would be a speed increase!
- Marc, Harrow, UK
