Labour London Assembly Member Dr Onkar Sahota is calling on local residents to identify dangerous junctions and streets in Ealing and Hillingdon as part of Road Safety Week, coordinated by the charity Brake. The campaign GO 20 launches today (Monday). Dr Onkar Sahota AM has joined the campaign’s call to increase safety on local roads for people on foot and bicycle.
The GO 20 campaign is encouraging drivers to slow down to 20mph around homes, schools and shops. In 2009, a London Assembly Transport Committee investigation found that in areas where 20 mph has been introduced in London there has been a 42 per cent reduction in casualties.
Transport for London (TfL) has recently invited comments for a new Road Safety Action Plan for the capital. Dr Onkar Sahota AM has backed the submission by the charity Living Streets, which focuses on road safety for pedestrians. Local Labour London Assembly Member Dr Onkar Sahota said:“I fully support the GO 20 campaign to slow traffic down on our streets. A 20 mph limit offers the potential to increase levels of walking and cycling. I would like to hear from residents about where in Ealing and Hillingdon could benefit from 20mph limits, where there are dangerous black spots and where crossings need to be made safer.“We also need to make sure that all dangerous junctions are identified and made safer for cyclists. Currently Willow Tree Roundabout (A312 The Parkway) is being reviewed by TfL. I’m calling on local residents to let me know which junctions they think are unsafe, they can write to me at [email protected] or write to Dr Onkar Sahota AM, City Hall, London SE1 2AA.
“At a time when the Mayor has cut the road safety budget from £59m in 2008 to just £23m this year, it is more important than ever to slow down traffic in residential areas and make all of our dangerous junctions and streets safe for people on foot and bicycle.” Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of Brake, the road safety charity, said: “Everyone in London should be able to walk and cycle without fear or threat, and GO 20 is about bringing that about. The 2012 Games helped us all realise the importance of being able to live active lifestyles. Critical to this is making our streets and neighbourhoods safe places we can use and enjoy.
“Anyone who drives can help bring this about: pledge to GO 20 around homes, schools and shops: you’ll be helping to protect people, and you’ll hardly notice the difference to your journey. We’re also calling on the government and more London boroughs to recognise the benefits of 20mph limits, and the huge demand for safe walking and cycling, and GO 20.”