London borough is first to have 20 mph limit in all residential areas!
on December 4th, 2009 at 9:33 pmA borough is to become the first in the country to introduce a 20mph speed limit on residential roads. Islington council has agreed to introduce the limit in January to cut accidents, congestion and pollution. More than 150 miles of road will be affected, with motorists able to drive at 30mph on just 15 out of 1,420 streets. Signs will be put up announcing the limits although the council has decided against introducing speed bumps. The move paves the way for a 20mph limit across London, with Southwark, Hackney, Brent, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Tower Hamlets and Merton boroughs looking at proposals. Roads run by Transport for London such as the A1 and Camden Road or major council-run routes such as Essex Road will remain 30mph. This year the Government announced plans intended to reduce the number of road accidents, with a 10-year target of lowering traffic deaths by a third. As well as 20mph limits in residential areas, the plans include a tougher driving test and cutting the speed limit at accident black spots on some A-roads from 60mph to 50mph. In London, 31 of the 33 councils have introduced a total of 400 20mph zones. In Islington half of the roads already have the limits. Councillor Greg Foxsmith, Islington’s environment spokesman, said: “We want streets where our kids can walk to school safely, where our cyclists can ride without risk, and where pollution levels are driven down. A blanket 20mph zone is a bold step, but it’s what our residents want and deserve. The scheme has had cross-party support and widespread public backing.” More
