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Westminster could impose 20mph limit throughout borough Big Ben © Simon MacMichael

Westminster could impose 20mph limit throughout borough

Borough already has 20mph limits around 39 schools
by Alex Bowden
Fri, Sep 20, 2019 16:48
8

Westminster has proposed cutting the speed limit to 20mph throughout the borough. A consultation will run until December 10.

Westminster has already introduced 20mph speed limits around 39 schools following a successful trial. Lower speed limits were supported by an overwhelming majority of residents, who felt it would make it safer to walk and cycle.

The London Evening Standard reports that the council is now looking to expand the 20mph limit to all roads across the borough, except for Transport for London’s red routes – although some of those will also become 20mph in the near future.

The development is striking as Westminster council has previously opposed high profile pedestrian and cycling safety schemes.

In February, the Court of Appeal upheld a High Court decision from last September which blocked construction of Cycle Superhighway 11 from Swiss Cottage to the West End.

The borough had argued that Transport for London (TfL) acted unlawfully in starting work before necessary consents had been obtained for the entirety of the route.

It also opposed the part-pedestrianisation of Oxford Street in 2017 – albeit that project would have seen cyclists banned.

Commenting on the 20mph proposals, Westminster deputy leader Tim Mitchell said: “More of our residents and visitors want to walk or cycle, and fewer people are driving. Introducing a lower speed limit will help make sure our streets remain safe for all.

“Our trial 20mph limits around schools proved hugely popular. Rolling these limits out across Westminster is the next logical step but we want to hear what people think first.”

Earlier this month, London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced that all TfL roads within the congestion charge zone, including those in Westminster, would become 20mph by next May.

Islington was the first London borough to introduce a 20mph borough-wide speed limit, doing so in 2009.

Westminster
Westminster Borough Council
London
20mph
Alex Bowden

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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8 comments

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kie7077 | 5 years ago
0 likes

"It also opposed the part-pedestrianisation of Oxford Street in 2017 – albeit that project would have seen cyclists banned."

They should of course have made Oxford Street pedestrianised.

But if they did then cycling along it would not have been feasible both because UK pedestrians are useless at looking out for bikes and because (a sizeable minority of) UK cyclists are poor at cycling around pedestrians at sensible speed. There would have been some accidents and the British public and tabloid press would kick up a big fuss, it'd never be pedestrian's fault always the cyclists fault.

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RoubaixCube | 5 years ago
0 likes

Great - lets give our stretched police force even more stuff they cant  do. Too many of them walking the streets with their hands in the pockets.

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brooksby replied to RoubaixCube | 5 years ago
1 like

RoubaixCube wrote:

Great - lets give our stretched police force even more stuff they cant  do. Too many of them walking the streets with their hands in the pockets.

If they're just walking the streets with their hands in their pockets then that doesn't sound like the most efficient use of the available resources?

(Not in any way defending the cuts, mind)

Avatar
ktache | 5 years ago
2 likes

Weirdly, I prefer drivers failing to abide by 20mph speed limits rather than not abiding by 30mph speed limits, and indeed 40mph limits.

If it can bring the average down by a couple of miles per hour and the top by a few more, then it may have done its job.

My better half doesn't break the speed limit, and I'm proud of her for it.  And indeed she will go slower if she feels it necessary.  Her lack of head swivelling awareness at her approach to roundabouts is the one major thing that I think could be improved in her driving.

She was driving me to my mothers on the south coast one summer and we had to go on the newly built "smart" motorway of the M3, which at the time had a 50mph speed limit, enforced by average speed cameras.  Everyone was driving at the same speed, sufficient distance between vehicles, no weaving about.  All very egalitairian.  It didn't matter how large or poweful the car was, everyone just got there, together.  I found it very peaceful.  And it felt safer.

I'm guessing some of those who spent a lot more money on their "status" symbol were very frustrated.

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Mark_1973_ | 5 years ago
3 likes

Hackney has a 20mph speed limit in the whole borough. Cycle through regularly. Not one car, motorbike, taxi or bus adheres to the limit. It's really like it doesn't exist.

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burtthebike | 5 years ago
1 like

Just for cyclists?

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Hirsute | 5 years ago
4 likes

Great news  - a 14% chance that the speed will be complied with.

Avatar
ktache | 5 years ago
2 likes

Good.  More of this.

A few cycle routes could help too.  Joined up ones.

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