Transport for London (TfL) are pushing ahead with their proposals for “Safer Speeds” in central London – which means 20 MPH speed limits enforced by cameras on many major roads in London. They have published the results of their fake public consultation on this subject which we have previously criticised as a consultation “in name only” including a refusal by TfL to provide key information on the proposals such as any cost/benefit analysis.
The public consultation used leading questions and was a complete distortion of how consultations should be performed – see https://tinyurl.com/y3gqh5hh for more information on how TfL ignores public opinion and does fake consultations.
You can read a report from TfL on the Safer Speeds consultation here: https://tinyurl.com/y3gqh5hh . On this very important topic to all road users, of which there are millions in London, they received less than 2,000 responses. Thirty nine percent of the responses came from cyclists which just shows how that pressure group dominates such consultations and are unrepresentative of the general public.
TfL propose to implement the 20 MPH limit on key roads in central London by 2020, and then in phase 2 they will extend lower speed limits to the inner ring road, and high-risk roads and town centre roads in the rest of London by 2024. In other words they will be coming to TfL controlled roads (i.e. main roads) even in outer London. Raised tables will be used at pedestrian crossings and elsewhere to slow traffic and all speed cameras will be recalibrated to the new lower speeds. Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) will also be used to ensure drivers are aware of the new limits.
What is the likely impact on road casualties? From the experience of the City of London where a 20 MPH limit has been in use for some time, the impact will be negligible. But it will make life more difficult for drivers and result in many more speeding fines as the police will be stepping up enforcement measures. This is one more step in the Mayor’s Transport Strategy to deter people from using cars in London.
London is becoming a ghetto of anti-car fanatics. These proposals are being advocated in the name of road safety despite the fact that TfL refuse to give any estimates of the alleged benefits, probably because they know they will turn out to be false. The proposals are likely to be an enormous waste of money and contribute further to TfL’s budget deficit.
We are still pursuing a FOI Act request to obtain TfL’s internal reports justifying these proposals which in their usual anti-democratic approach they have refused to release. We suggest readers complain to their local MP and Greater London Assembly Member about this matter.
Roger Lawson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drivers_London
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So now there is untrustworthy tfl staff distorting the truth for their own agenda just like the 3 wasted years of brexit. This country is getting to be a joke. Who sorted the traffic lights sequences out? It used to be easy to west then north to south now they all stop together????? One more thing to screw over the motorist, tell how does IKEA clean the air? Only changing the fuel will stop the pollution not charging drivers.
Sorry some words got changed by some sort of predictable thing. Ikea never wrote than and easy was east
20 limits will increase emissions as engines are not efficient operating at lower revs and power levels, Engine emissions certification legislation allows the engine to exceet the emissions limits by double when the engine is operating outside it emissions control zone ie less than 30% torque and also less than “h-low” a term in the emissions regulations. basically low revs; also travelling a 20 will produce twice the emissions for the same journey travelling at 40 and three times than travelling at 60,
Most vehicles most efficient speed is 60 or more or slightly less, as the engine is operating within its emissions control power and revs zone and the vehicle is in top or overdrive gear.
To reduce accidents with pedestrians a barrier must be made between the road and the pavement, Cars are not allowed to travel on the pavement so why are pedestrians allowed to walk in the road?
The answer is to only allow pedestrians to walk in the road where there are designated road crossing points.
Make it illegal and a fine to walk on the road where there is not a designated pedestrian crossing point, after all, if it saves 1 life it is worth it.