TfL’s London roads set for 20mph speed limit change on 2 March

From Monday 2 March, Transport for London (TfL) roads in central London will be changing their speed limit to 20mph.

The lower speed limits come in as part of the ‘Vision Zero’ project for London, which aims to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on the capital’s transport system.

The London Mayor, TfL and the Metropolitan Police Service published London's first Vision Zero action plan, which set out bold plans to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from London’s transport network.

Actions in the plan include:

• Lower speed limits on TfL's road network: TfL is proposing to make 20mph the new speed limit on all TfL roads within the Congestion Charging Zone by 2020

• Transforming dangerous junctions: After identifying 73 junctions with the worst safety records, TfL is proceeding with a major Safer Junctions programme that will see significant safety improvements made at these locations to reduce road danger for people walking and cycling

• Tough safety standards for the design of HGVs: TfL's Direct Vision Standard for Heavy Goods Vehicles will be the first initiative of its kind in the world to categorise HGVs depending on the level of a driver's direct vision from a cab

• A world-leading Bus Safety Standard: This will identify the latest safety technologies and features to significantly reduce casualties on the bus network. This Bus Safety Standard will be written into all new bus operator contracts from the end of 2018

• Safer streets for walking: the Mayor is investing a record £2.2 billion in streets across London to make them safer for walking and cycling, and improve the environment for everyone.

Gareth Powell, TfL’s Managing Director of Surface Transport, wrote to taxi drivers and other motorists saying: 'This is to improve safety for all road users, as if someone is hit at 30mph, they're five times more likely to die than if they are hit at 20mph.

'This is part of the Mayor's commitment to Vision Zero to ensure there are zero deaths and serious injuries on London's roads by 2041.'

Powell added: 'We ask all drivers to comply with the new speed limit and to travel safely through London.'