Eight London red routes set for 20mph speed limit

The 20mph limits could be extended on other red routes in the capital, Transport for London says

Speed limits of 20 mph (32kph) are to be introduced for some of the busiest roads in central London.

The plan to lower the maximum speed limit on some red routes is part of a pilot to help save lives and improve road safety, Transport for London said.

Eight areas will trial the lower speeds from April, starting with Commercial Street in Tower Hamlets.

The London boroughs of Islington, Camden and City of London already have 20mph speed limits on borough roads.

About 25% of the roads in London currently have 20mph restrictions. The new speed limit routes announced apply to the red routes owned and managed by Transport for London (TfL).

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "Lower speeds have the potential to significantly improve road safety while enhancing the environment for walking and cycling."

Leon Daniels, a managing director for TfL, said as well as being arterial routes some red routes passed through busy town centres which were more appropriate for lower speed limits.

London Assembly Green Party member Darren Johnson welcomed the scheme: "Both TfL and the boroughs should be bold in cutting speed limits to 20mph on all the main roads where people live, shop and work."

TfL said it was also considering introducing the 18-month lower speed limit pilots in the following areas:

•Upper Street and Holloway Road (between Pentonville Road and Seven Sisters Road)

•Westminster Bridge, Stamford Street and Southwark St (between Victoria Embankment and Borough High Street - including the previous 20mph trial at Waterloo Roundabout)

•Brixton Town Centre (between St Matthews Road and Stockwell Park Walk)

•Clapham High Street (between Clapham Park Road and Bedford Road, which forms part of Cycle Superhighway 7)

•Earls Court Road and Redcliffe Gardens (between A4 Cromwell Road and Fulham Road)

•Kings Cross Road and Farringdon Road (between Pentonville Road and Charterhouse Road, linking up with the previous 20mph trial along Farringdon St and Blackfriars Bridge)

•Camden Street (between Camden Road and Crowndale Road)

But the Institute of Advanced Motorists' Policy Director Neil Greig issued a warning over the "draconian enforcement" of speed restrictions, saying: "Most drivers think signs are enough and support 20mph speed awareness courses as the main way to deal with those who stray over the lower limit."