Transport for London (TfL) has announced 65km of new 20mph speed limits to be introduced across eight London boroughs by the end of the year.
The new limits will be introduced in Greenwich, Kensington and Chelsea, Lewisham, Southwark, Wandsworth, Merton, Bromley and Lambeth over the last four months of the year, meaning that TfL will have delivered 140km of 20mph roads, ahead of its target of completion by May 2024.
TfL said the new limits will help make a large area of south London safer and more attractive for people to live and work in.
However, it has rowed back on claims that the introduction of new limits in central London led to a 25% fall in casualties, after Highways' sister publication Transport Network, pointed out that it was comparing pandemic with pre-pandemic data.
It said today that data between May 2020 and June 2022 shows a 25% fall in collisions and a 24% fall in collisions resulting in someone being killed or seriously injured when compared to a similar period before lower limits were implemented.
It added that this should be seen in the context of a London-wide reduction in KSI collisions of around 10% over the same period.
In fact, the background reduction in KSIs at the time was 16.5%, accounting for much of the reduction on the 20mph roads.
TfL said the speed limits will be supported by new signs and road markings and it is working closely with the Metropolitan Police to ensure that drivers understand and comply with them.
It added that banners will be attached to streetlights to increase driver awareness and that it plans to carry out monitoring to determine whether further measures to reduce vehicle speeds are required.
Walking and Cycling Commissioner Will Norman, said: ‘TfL data shows that 20mph speed limits are reducing the number of collisions on London’s roads, which is why I’m pleased the 20mph programme has been expanded, helping to make a large area of south London safer and more attractive for people to live and work.
‘Every death or serious injury on our streets is devastating, bringing heartache and tragedy to all those involved so we will continue to work with TfL, the Met Police and London’s boroughs to make it easier and safer for people to walk, cycle and use public transport, creating a safer, greener London for everyone.’
