Jenny Jones to lead new 20 mph study in London
22 October 2008
A new investigation will look at how effective 20 mph zones have been in making London’s roads - the scene of more than 28,000 casualties last year – safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
Green London Assembly Member, Jenny Jones will lead the study on behalf of the Transport Committee. It will look at existing 20 mph zones, and whether more zones should be introduced or if there are more effective measures to reduce road casualties, such as borough- or London-wide default 20 mph limits on all residential streets.
London boroughs and Transport for London (TfL) have the power to set speed limits of 20mph on residential streets, and between them have introduced almost 400 20 mph zones in the capital.
Greens across the UK are advocating the introduction of default 20 mph speed limits on residential streets across urban areas. Earlier this month, the campaign celebrated another victory when Green Councillors in Leicester gained the agreement of the City Council to bring in a default 20 mph speed limit for the city.
Offical road casualty figures show that 222 people died on London’s roads last year. Of those, 109 were pedestrians and 15 were cyclists.
Jenny Jones said:
“The statistics are shocking and it’s obvious more needs to be done to improve road safety for Londoners.
“First we need to find out exactly how well the 20 mile per hour zones that are already in place in almost every London borough are actually working – then look at how best to take things forward."
The Transport Committee will make recommendations to the Mayor and TfL about making London’s roads safer. The investigation will draw on existing data about public support for 20mph limits and call for written evidence from people and organisations using the roads, including pedestrians, motorists, and the police and emergency services.
It will also include a witness session that will be open to the public, and a site visit to Portsmouth where 20mph limits are being introduced on all residential streets. The findings from the investigation are expected to be published early next year.
A detailed background paper is available at: http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/bmac/2008/oct23/agenda.jsp
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