Transport for London has announced plans to introduce 20mph limits on all central London roads by May 2020.
The proposals, which were put out for consultation on 5 June, are described as a key part of the mayor’s Vision Zero ambition to eliminate death and serious injury on the Capital’s transport network.
The 20mph limits would cover all TfL roads in the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ) including Millbank, Albert Embankment, Victoria Embankment and Borough High Street – as well as Aldgate Gyratory, which is on the boundary of the CCZ, rather than within it.
Combined with the 20mph limits already set on the vast majority of borough roads, TfL says this would mean that most of the roads in central London would become 20mph.
TfL adds that lower speeds are vital to protect people walking, cycling and riding motorcycles.
As well as new 20mph signs and road markings along routes, proposals include raising the height of pedestrian crossings in seven high-risk locations, including near the busy Embankment and Tower Hill Tube stations, and in areas with a high number of pedestrians.
Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, said: “Each year more than 4,000 people are killed or seriously injured on London’s streets.
“The evidence is clear – lowering speeds on the most dangerous roads saves lives.
“The proposed 20mph speed limit on TfL roads within the CCZ and at Aldgate Gyratory will protect people walking and cycling and other road users in the busiest part of the Capital.”
Stuart Reid, interim director of Vision Zero at TfL, said: “Lower speeds save lives. That’s why we plan to reduce speed limits in central London, where hundreds of thousands of people are walking and cycling each day.
“Many of London’s boroughs are already leading the way on safer speed limits and introducing 20mph in central London will deliver consistently safer roads regardless of which road authority is responsible for them.”
06 June 2019