Reducing speed limits can make a real difference to cutting road danger and enabling more people to walk and cycle, with 59 per cent of people in an earlier consultation stating that reduced speed limits would encourage more cycling.
In March 2020, TfL introduced a 20mph speed limit on all of its roads within the central London congestion charging zone as part of its Vision Zero commitment to eliminate death and serious injury on London's roads. This included a new 20mph limit on Victoria Embankment and along the Millbank. A 30mph speed limit was also introduced on the A40 Westway within the borough in June last year, which is proposed to be implemented permanently. Data shows if you are hit by car at 20mph you are five times less likely to be fatally injured than at 30mph.
TfL is now sharing its plans to reduce the speed limits on its remaining roads in the borough to 20mph, alongside additional measures on roads in the borough to reduce speeds and danger to vulnerable road users.
Proposed changes include:
- A reduced 20mph speed limit on 13km of roads within the borough, including on Marylebone Road, Vauxhall Bridge Road and Edgware Road between the A40 and St. John's Wood Road
- Raised tables at six existing pedestrian crossing locations on roads with newly lowered speed limits to reduce danger to people walking and increase compliance with the new speed limit
- New road signs throughout to ensure that all drivers are fully aware of the new speed limit
- Recalibrating speed cameras in the area to ensure compliance with the new speed limits
TfL is asking people to have their say on the proposed changes. People will be able to share their views on how the proposals might change the way people travel through a survey that is available on the TfL website. It also seeks views on making the temporary 30mph limit on the A40 Westway and temporary 20mph limits on Park Lane northbound and Grosvenor Road permanent. The survey will be open until the 18 August and all responses and feedback will be carefully considered. Subject to feedback, the planned changes could be introduced in spring 2022.
In 2020, Westminster Council introduced a 20mph speed limit on all its roads in the borough as part of their commitment to making streets in Westminster safer.
The Mayor and TfL have committed to eliminate death and serious injury from London's transport network as part of their Vision Zero Action Plan, which includes a commitment to reduce speed limits on roads in London. Collision data from around the world shows that the speed at which people are driving or riding is the single most important determinant of both the likelihood of a collision occurring and the severity of the outcome. The faster a person is driving, the less time they have to react to avoid a collision, and the more severe any resulting injuries will be. Speed is a factor in around 37 per cent of collisions in London where a person dies or is seriously injured and TfL will continue to work closely with the police, local councils and other partners to tackle the devastating impact these collisions can have on local communities.