Wandsworth Council calling on Mayor to lower speed limit to 20mph

The council is calling on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to implement 20mph speed limits on his network of red routes.

The council has introduced a 20mph limit on all the roads it manages including all of its busiest A-roads.

The borough's main red routes – which are all controlled by the Mayor's transport organisation TfL - speeds of up to 40mph are permitted.

The council's transport spokesman Cllr John Locker has written to the Mayor urging him to support the town hall's efforts.

If he agrees, this could see lower speed limits introduced on the A3, A24, A205, A214, A306, A3205 and A3220.

This list includes West Hill, Battersea Rise, Latchmere Road, Trinity Road, East Hill, Swandon Way, Battersea Park Road, the Upper Richmond Road, Balham High Road, the Upper Tooting Road, Tooting High Street and all of the Wandsworth one-way system.

Cllr Locker said: "I've written to the Mayor asking him to commit to delivering 20mph on Wandsworth's red routes as these are the only roads left in the borough which allow faster vehicle speeds.

"We support 20mph limits because we believe they deliver a range of key benefits. Lower speeds mean safer streets and can encourage other forms of sustainable transport like cycling and walking. It also means quieter streets which are a welcome boost for people's quality of life.

"Accidents involving collisions between pedestrians and vehicles are three times less likely to be fatal if the speed of the impact is 20mph compared to 30mph. Studies have shown that at 30mph, 55 per cent of collisions result in a fatality while at 20mph this figure plummets to just 17 per cent."

Some Wandsworth residents feel that 20mph roads are not enough to stop speeders.

One resident said: "What's the point? The existing 20mph routes are racetracks! Start by enforcing the law."

Jo Rigby, Wandsworth Labour Active Travel & Transport Cabinet Speaker, said: "We know from Wandsworth 20mph roads, signage isn't enough.

"80% of drivers break the speed limit on Magdalen Road according to an FOI. If the road is wide enough, drivers will speed. Cameras needed on every street?"

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