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First London borough set for blanket 20mph limit
David Williams, Motoring Editor20.02.08
Lewisham is to become the first London council to launch a 20mph speed limit on virtually all roads.
The limit would replace the current 30mph maximum, under plans inspired by the Green Party.
The council's sustainable development select committee has voted in favour of the scheme, which will make Lewisham a guinea pig for the rest of the capital.
Borough mayor Sir Steve Bullock has endorsed the plan, which is the brainchild of Green councillor Sue Luxton.
She said the lower limit would be enforced by a ring of cameras, removing the need for costly road humps.
It also means humps in other parts of the borough, where 18 small-scale 20mph zones have been introduced already, can be phased out.
Miss Luxton said the move was essential to encourage walking and cycling, and would help clean the capital's air by encouraging a shift away from cars.
Three weeks ago Mayor Ken Livingstone said he wanted most of London to have a 20mph limit. He called on each of the capital's 33 local authorities to launch borough-wide safety zones after evidence that they cut accidents and injuries by half.
Until now boroughs have only been allowed to introduce 20mph in limited areas. Nearly 60 per cent of Lewisham is already covered by these small zones.
Transport for London has approved trials of wireless cameras. Boroughs will not have to install them but will get backing from TfL if they can prove there is a need. Major through-routes can be exempted from 20mph limits.
Miss Luxton said routes such as the South Circular Road may be exempt: "[20mph] would not apply to every road but it would be the norm. I'd like to see this go ahead in the next year or two."
Sir Steve added: "We are only going to crack this when we change the way people think. We need people to think the normal speed is 20mph, not 30mph."
Islington recently missed out on becoming the first council to introduce a borough-wide 20mph limit when proposals were defeated by one vote.
The AA has warned a blanket 20mph for London would hamper travel. It wants councils to introduce such zones only in sensitive or residential areas.
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Reader views (16)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
Why oh why do councillors think they know what's best for everyone! I work shifts and have three small children. The use of a car is essential for comfort and ease
compared to the bus. When I am eventually forced out of my car have to subsequently rely on public transport and lose my job will they be happy for me to claim benefits? Maybe I can apply for a job with the green party who don't seem to have a clue about the reality of life.
- Maxine, Catford, London
Why not also on the south circular? studies prove that lower speeds can actually improve traffic flow on busy roads, and it would also reduce noise!
- Greg Watts, Forest Hill, UK
I work in Lewisham and most days you can't even get out of first gear the traffics so bad and when you do the roads are so diabolical you have to drive at a snail pace to avoid completely wrecking your car. This is just to make you use tfl more but I'd rather not sit next to someone who hasn't learnt the concept of bathing and then have the person sitting behind me sneeze all over the back of my neck. I can not wait for Ken Livingstone to be booted out of office
- Maurine, walworth,london
