The City of London today voted for a 20mph limit for all roads. The square mile’s landmark vote will raise safety and the quality of life for thousands working in, or visiting, London’s financial hub.
The City of London’s full Court of Common Council today (12th September) voted for an area wide 20mph to protect workers and visitors to the …UK’s financial hub. This vote sends a huge message to London and other global centres about the City’s aim to maintain its position in the top rank of global financial centres by prioritising road safety. 20mph limits create an environment that encourages active travel and health through walking and cycling.
20mph limits passed the Planning and Transportation Committee and Policy and Resources Committee in June (1). The City of London commissioned an air quality impact report from Imperial College (2) This showed no negative effects. Research also found that for the 1.6 mile widest City of London journey limits would mean a maximum 25 seconds extra. This vote confirms the City’s move to borough-wide 20mph limits which will be highly cost effective. A relatively small investment in signage is predicted to reap casualty savings of 8–9% per year.
In July the Mayor’s Roads Task Force recommended that the Central Activities Zone (i.e. West End, The City and Southbank) become 20mph (3) across the whole area to improve road safety and gain the benefits slower speeds bring through active travel and a higher quality of life for residents, workers and visitors.
A quarter (8/32) of London Boroughs either have a Total 20mph limits policy or are moving towards a 20mph speed limit – Islington, Camden, Southwark, Haringey, Hackney, Waltham Forest, Lambeth and now the City of London.
Jeremy Leach, 20’s Plenty for Us London Co-ordinator said “A 20mph City of London says strongly that 20’s Plenty where people work. The City of London joins Paris and Tokyo in recognising that 20mph limits are better for business and health. A quarter of London is now committed to 20mph and other boroughs are watching the City’s decision. More are expected to announce their own borough-wide 20mph limits soon”.
Rod King MBE 20’s Plenty for Us Founder rejoiced “The City of London has chosen wisely in civilising streets for people with 20mph limits. This highlights the need for our “It’s Time For 20” call (4) for a review of signage requirements to enable it to be far cheaper for local authorities to implement 20mph limits.”
Time for 20 asks the Department for Transport to allow authorities to sign exceptions to 20mph limits which can halve the cost of implementing 20mph limits.
