Sadiq Khan Advances 20mph Speed Limit Zones amidst ULEZ Controversy

New Traffic Regulations Enforced Early in Eight London Boroughs

In a bid to allegedly enhance road safety, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has hastened the implementation of 20mph speed limit zones across eight boroughs, a move coming five months prior to the initially announced date. This decision transpires amidst the recent backlash Khan has received following the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) regulations.

Mark Harper articulates his criticism on Khan’s stance on ULEZ, as the Mayor prepares to enforce new speed limit rules in an additional 40 miles of zone areas by the end of 2024, advancing from the original deadline in May next year.

The controversy surrounding the recent ULEZ expansion, which witnessed numerous camera vandalisms, hasn’t deterred the Mayor from introducing another layer of motoring regulations set to take effect by the year’s end.

These measures, supported by Transport for London (TfL) executives, aspire to foster safer and more appealing living and working environments in large sectors of the capital, with a purported potential to “save lives”.

This month, Greenwich, Lewisham, Southwark, Wandsworth, Merton, Bromley, Lambeth, and Kensington and Chelsea are slated to experience a reduction in speed limits, with a phased approach planned for the concluding four months of this year. Following this roll-out, an estimated 87 miles across London will adhere to the 20mph speed restriction, as reported by the Daily Mail.

Furthermore, TfL envisions a significant extension of this policy by 2024, encompassing an additional 140km of authority-regulated roads and 37 town centre precincts. These developments are perceived as pivotal components in Khan’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eradicate fatalities and severe injuries on London’s transport network.

Earlier in March, boroughs including Camden, Islington, Hackney, Haringey, and Tower Hamlets had similar regulations imposed, aligning almost all roads in these boroughs with a unified 20mph speed restriction on both TfL and borough road networks. It is anticipated that the boroughs incorporated later this year will observe analogous regulations.

As part of this initiative, fresh road markings, signs, and banners will be deployed to facilitate motorists’ adaptation to the new speed limits. Moreover, the Met Police will undertake a role in enlightening drivers about these amendments.

Post-implementation, TfL intends to scrutinize the effects of these speed reductions, examining if further actions are necessitated to diminish vehicle speeds. Recent data reveals a promising trend; showcasing a 25% reduction in collisions and a 24% decrease in incidents resulting in death or serious injury since the inception of lower speed limits.

Lilli Matson, TfL’s lead officer for safety, health, and environment, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to eliminating fatal collisions in London, a city where speed remains a substantial contributor to deadly accidents. She accentuated that even minor breaches of speed limits could entail tragic repercussions.

Matson envisaged that the forthcoming 20mph zones would not only safeguard lives but also promote greener, safer modes of transport such as walking and cycling, thereby fostering a safer and more environmentally friendly London.

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