Council goes for 20-20 vision

Following a positive public consultation, Tower Hamlets Council will be applying a 20mph speed limit to all of the borough’s roads – excluding red routes – from Monday, 13th April. The consultation was carried out last October, and 80% of respondents were in favour of reducing the speed limit to 20mph. The council consulted with the emergency services, neighbouring boroughs, local business groups and Transport for London (TfL) direct. TfL signalled its support for the borough by announcing last week that Commercial Street – operated by TfL and not the council – will also become 20mph to coincide with the borough-wide implementation in April.

All councils have an obligation to manage and improve road safety, and many urban local authorities have introduced or are introducing 20mph zones to help moderate the speed of motor vehicles and reduce accident rates. Tower Hamlets is also very keen to use the new limit to encourage residents to choose the healthy travel options of walking and cycling.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman said: “Tower Hamlets Council is committed to making the borough’s streets and roads safer for everyone. The introduction of a 20mph limit is an effective starting point to achieve this aim.”

Cllr Shahed Ali, Cabinet Member for Clean and Green, added: “20mph speed limits have been successfully introduced to other London boroughs and have been found to be effective at reducing accidents without increasing congestion. We hope that the implementation of a 20mph speed limit across the borough will respond to ongoing safety concerns.”

Jeremy Leach London Campaign Co-ordinator for 20’s Plenty For Us said “It is fantastic news that Tower Hamlets has become a 20mph borough. By summer 2015, eight of the 13 Inner London boroughs will have a 20mph speed limit and across London almost 3 million Londoners will be living on streets and roads with 20mph limits.”