Speed limits on just under nine kilometres of road in Central London’s congestion charge zone have been reduced to 20mph as of this week.
These restrictions come as part of the Vision Zero scheme – a collaboration between the London mayor, Transport for London (TfL) and the Metropolitan Police, with the aim of eliminating road injuries and deaths in London completely.
Figures from recent years indicate that over 130 people have been killed in speed-related collisions on London’s streets, with speed being a factor in over a third (37%) of London collisions where someone has died or been seriously injured. It is hoped that the lower speed restrictions will, consequently, help to reduce these figures.
The new limits apply to roads in Millbank, Victoria Embankment and Borough High Street, which will come with new road signs, as well as road markings to help drivers identify when they are entering a road which is subject to the restrictions.
To help implement these new speed regulations, a speed enforcement team will be deployed on all Central London roads in April. TfL has also confirmed that it will be recalibrating all speed cameras in Central London to be in-line with the lower limits introduced.
Over recent years, calls for 20mph speed limits have received much support from the public, as well as a multitude of health and safety bodies. However, these regulations have also drawn criticism, with some saying that 20mph limits will make no difference in Central London, as traffic is already slow-moving.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, believes that the restrictions will save lives: “I am absolutely determined to do everything I can to eradicate all deaths and serious injuries on London’s roads and these new measures are a vital step along the way to helping us to achieve this.
“By cutting speed limits on TfL’s roads within the Congestion Zone we are saving lives, while at the same time making our streets more appealing for Londoners to walk and cycle around the capital.”
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