TfL will enforce the 20mph limit on a further 65km of London roads in September

Transport chiefs have announced plans to bring a 20mph speed limit to several of the capital’s roads in September.

Transport for London (TfL) is pushing ahead with plans to reduce speed limits on 137 miles of its 367-mile network by 2024 after data emerged on the safety of its current low-speed zones.

Most of the restrictions will see roads moved from 30mph to 20mph zones, but will also include reductions from 40mph to 30mph.

TfL plans to introduce 65km of new 20mph speed limits in September across Greenwich Borough, Kensington and Chelsea, Lewisham, Southwark, Wandsworth, Merton, Bromley and Lambeth.

A 20mph limit will be introduced on sections of a number of roads including Camberwell New Road, Tooting Bec Road, High Street Colliers Wood, Balham High Road and more.

Data from TfL, which monitored the safety of 20mph zones before and after the restrictions were implemented, found that collisions resulting in death or fatalities were reduced by 25%.

Currently, 68 miles of TFL roads have 20mph speed limits, including all congestion charge roads.

The plan will introduce 17 miles of 20mph zones on roads in Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Haringey this month.

Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “The facts are clear, a person hit by a vehicle at 20mph is five times less likely to be killed than at 30mph.

“We are committed to building a safer and greener London for everyone and the continued expansion of TfL’s 20mph on roads program plays a vital role in making the capital’s roads safer for people to walk, cycle and use public transport.

“This is an important part of the Mayor’s Vision Zero plan and we will continue to work with colleagues in the boroughs to further improve the safety of London’s roads.”

Penny Rees, TfL’s head of Healthy Streets Investment, said: “We are committed to eliminating death and serious injury from London’s roads in line with our Vision Zero target.

“Millions of walking and cycling journeys are made in London every day and a person is five times less likely to be killed if hit at 20mph than at 30mph.

“That’s why we’re committed to reducing speed limits on our road network in the capital – and these proposals will make a real difference to reducing road danger and enabling more people to walk and cycle.

“We really value people’s feedback on our proposals and I would encourage everyone to use this opportunity to share their views on our plans.”