New 20mph speed limits introduced across London today

Transport for London (TfL) has today introduced 20mph speed limits across 17.5 miles of roads within Camden, Islington, Hackney, Haringey and Tower Hamlets.

The changes mean almost all of the roads in the boroughs have a consistent 20mph speed limit on both the Transport for London Road Network and borough road network.

Lowering speed limits is a key part of the Mayor’s Vision Zero goal to eliminate death and serious injury from London’s transport network and to enable more walking and cycling in the capital.

Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “TfL data shows than 20mph speed limits are reducing the continued expansion of the 20mph programme is.

“Lowering speeds is one of the most important things we can do to reduce road danger and we’ll 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.”

TfL analysis of the existing 20mph speed limits on roads within the central London Congestion Charging Zone has found a significant reduction in the number of collisions since they were introduced.

Between May 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022, the number of collisions fell 25% from 406 to 304, with collisions resulting in death or serious injury falling by the same proportion (from 94 to 71).

Collisions involving vulnerable road users have decreased 36% (from 453 to 290), while collisions involving people walking have decreased by 63% (from 124 to 46).

The 20mph speed limits will be introduced on sections of the A503, A501, A41, A1, A10, A11 and A1203.

TfL is now working to lower speeds on 88 miles of its road by 2024 and in 37 town centre locations in inner and outer London.

Last week, TfL began consulting on plans to introduce 20mph limits on 41 miles of roads within the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Lewisham, Southwark, Wandsworth, Merton, Bromley and Lambeth.

TfL has also recently started work on major new walking and cycling schemes.

Construction work has started on Cycleway 50, a new route between Finsbury Park and Holloway Road.

Work has also started to transform the Lea Bridge Roundabout in Hackney with upgraded pedestrian crossings and segregated cyclelanes.