Campaigners claim local councils are being slow to respond to Government guidance which states 20 mph speed limits should be considered as a ‘priority for action’ on England’s roads.
Pedestrian pressure group Living Streets has launched it’s ‘Show you Love 20 mph’ campaign to highlight the issue.
Government figures show 453 pedestrians were killed on UK roads in 2011.
Living Street believe a significant number of those lives could have been saved if more local authorities were acting on the guidance and introducing area-wide 20 mph speed limits.
Living Streets’ Chief Executive, Tony Armstrong, said: “It’s a scandal. If this number of people had lost their lives travelling by train or bus there would be an outcry, an inquiry, and immediate action taken to improve safety measures.
"The Government has given councils the green light to introduce more 20 mph speed limits which is quite simply an opportunity to save lives.
"Lowering speeds is proven to increase survival rates and has the support of the majority of people."
Council in cities such as Bristol and Portsmouth have implemented 20 mph limits while Islington in London is now 20 mph across the borough including main roads.
