20: 0 Vision

London's new "Vision Zero" action plan for reducing traffic-related injuries will see a new 20 miles per hour (mph) speed limit introduced on all Transport for London (TfL) roads within the Congestion Charging Zone.

In a statement issued today (24 July), the office of London's Major Sadiq Khan said that the Vision Zero approach "starts from the premise that no death or serious injury on London’s roads is acceptable or inevitable".

In order to get closer to a full Vision Zero ambition, the Mayor has set TfL some interim targets. According to today's statement: "By 2022, the aim is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on London’s roads by 65% with no-one being killed on or by a bus by 2030, on the road to Vision Zero in 2041."

The new speed limit proposals will play a key role in achieving these targets. According to the statement from the Mayor's office: "TfL is now proposing to make 20mph the new general speed limit on all TfL roads within the Congestion Charging Zone (CCZ) by 2020, prioritising the part of the capital with a high volume of vulnerable road users including people who walk, cycle or use a motorcycle. 8.9km of new roads within the CCZ will now become 20mph by the end of the Mayoral term to fulfil this ambition."

The statement added: "TfL is also proposing the introduction of 20mph speed limits on its road network in many of London’s other town centres and high-risk locations across London by 2024, to reduce road danger in these locations. Many London boroughs have 20mph speed limits on their local residential streets, and the Mayor and TfL will work with boroughs to deliver consistent and uniform 20 mph speed limits where it will improve road safety.

"Overall TfL are aiming for 150km of new lower speed limits to be introduced on the totality of their road network."

The Vision Zero announcement was welcomed by the road safety group Brake.

Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, said: “With our cities getting ever more crowded, congestion on our roads increasing, and more people wanting safe cycling and walking options this strategy couldn’t be more timely and we warmly welcome the Mayor’s plans.

“The Mayor is right to focus on speed reduction and the rollout of 20mph limits – simply put lower speeds save lives. If you are hit by a car at 30mph you are more likely to die, if you are hit at 20mph, you are more likely to survive. This stark fact should be reason enough for all to welcome the introduction of safe 20mph limits across the capital. London is setting an example the rest of the UK should follow and we urge the Government to make 20mph the default speed for built-up areas across the UK, helping make streets across the country safer and more welcoming.

“The Vision Zero approach adopted in London asserts that no road death or serious injury is inevitable, nor should it be tolerated. This is heartening for all road safety campaigners to hear, but this bold ambition must be backed by long-term and consistent action and so we look forward to working with the Mayor and TfL to ensure actions are achieved and targets met."