Braking point: 20mph speed limits in London

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The potential for more 20mph limits in London in order to reduce road casualties should be fully explored through a borough-led pilot programme, according to our report, published the same week as the Government announced proposals to reduce speed limits on residential roads.

The report found that in areas of London where 20mph zones have been introduced by boroughs and Transport for London (TfL), there has been a 42 per cent reduction in casualties. The report concludes that implementing a borough-wide default 20mph limit all at once may prevent more casualties and prove more cost-effective than the current piecemeal approach of introducing individual zones.

In order to thoroughly test the case for borough-wide limits, the report urges the Mayor to examine diverting some Transport for London’s £63 million road safety budget to support a borough-led pilot programme from 2010/11. It calls on the Mayor to report back to the Committee by October 2009.