Image: TfL
“Lowering speeds is one of the most important things we can do to reduce road danger and make it easier and safer for people to walk, cycle and use public transport.”
That’s the verdict of London’s walking and cycling commissioner Will Norman, after TfL announced plans to reduce the speed limit on 13.77km of roads.
TfL has used a risk-based approach to identify the five sites to lower speed limits.
Four 20mph speed limits will be introduced, including the A10 – A503 corridor in Haringey, the A13 Commercial Road in Tower Hamlets, the A23 London Road in Croydon and the A107 corridor in Hackney.
In addition, a 30mph speed limit will be introduced on the A10 Great Cambridge Road in Enfield.
TfL says the new speed limits will be supported by new signs and road markings, and that it will work closely with the Met Police to ensure that drivers understand and comply with the new lower speed limits.
Will Norman said: “Sadly over 4,000 people are killed and seriously injured on London’s roads every year. This is unacceptable.
“Lowering speeds is one of the most important things we can do to reduce road danger and make it easier and safer for people to walk, cycle and use public transport.
“I’m delighted to see TfL and the boroughs making good progress on reducing speed.
“However, further investment in walking and cycling infrastructure is essential to making our roads safer. Without it, we risk undoing our hard work to reduce collisions and will likely see more lives tragically lost on our streets.”
The new lower speed schemes are part of the TfL’s commitment to introduce 20mph speed limits on 220km of roads by 2024.
Lilli Matson, chief health, safety and environment officer at TfL, said: “The new 20mph speed limits will not only save lives but will also encourage Londoners in these communities to travel in more active and sustainable ways.
“We’re committed to eliminating unsafe speeds and dangerous driving across our network and are working closely with our Met Police partners to ensure the new speed limits are robustly enforced.”
I think the wording “Lowering speeds is one of the most important things….” has been chosen wisely as opposed to simply – and if I may say so naively – saying “Lowering speed limits is one of …”. Unfortunately, with regard to 20 limits this does not generally result in speeds below this figure to any significant degree. Not the fault of the authorities by the way – as ever, it’s the motorist…the root of most road safety problems.
Hugh Jones, West Cheshire
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