Coming to gridlocked London … a 20mph speed limit!

For drivers clocking up an average speed of 8mph in central London, it may sound like a joke.

But a 20mph speed limit is being introduced by 2020 under plans unveiled yesterday to cut road deaths and serious injuries in the capital.

It is proposed that vehicles travelling on red routes, managed by Transport for London, inside the congestion charge zone will be subject to the limit. TfL is also considering introducing the same limit on its roads in other high-risk locations across the capital.

The measure was announced by London mayor Sadiq Khan. But it raised eyebrows at motoring group the AA, whose president Edmund King said: ‘Traffic speeds in central London really haven’t changed much since the horse and cart some 100 years ago.

‘Most drivers would be delighted if they could drive at 20mph across London during the day but in reality traffic speeds are less than half of that. TfL estimate average speeds are just 8mph.’ Mr King suggested the 20mph limit should only apply when the congestion charge zone is in force – between 7am and 6pm from Monday to Friday.

More than 2,000 people are killed or seriously injured on London’s roads each year. Pedestrians hit by a vehicle driven at 20mph are five times less likely to die than if they are hit at 30mph, according to the mayor’s office.

Mr Khan said: ‘I don’t accept deaths and serious injuries on London’s roads are something we just have to put up with. Every single death or serious injury results in heartache and tragedy for those affected, and their loved ones.

“our bold and far-reaching plans are some of the most ambitious in the world.’

Mr Khan stressed the change would protect ‘cyclists, pedestrians and all road users in the busiest part of the capital’.

More than four lives have been saved every year since the introduction of 20mph zones in Bristol, a study found.

However, when Bath and North East Somerset council brought in a series of 20mph zones, it found that more people were killed or injured in over half the areas.

A report blamed the increase on pedestrians being ‘ less diligent’ when crossing roads because they think they are safer.

‘Drivers would be delighted to manage 20mph’