Proposals for a borough-wide 20mph speed limit

The Royal Borough of Greenwich has officially moved forward with statutory consultation on proposals to implement a borough-wide 20mph speed limit across all council-managed roads.

The initiative aims to enhance road safety, save lives, and create more welcoming streets for residents.

Currently, 72% of the borough’s roads already operate under a 20mph limit. The proposed blanket restriction would cover the remaining council-maintained streets, though major A-roads and Transport for London (TfL) Red Routes will remain at their existing speed limits.

Key Safety Data and Objectives

Local leaders and transport statistics highlight the critical safety benefits driving the policy change:

• Fatality Risks: According to council figures, a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 30mph is five times more likely to suffer fatal injuries compared to one hit at 20mph.

• Historical Impact: Over the past 10 years, 939 people have been killed or seriously injured on Greenwich roads, with roughly 77% of these casualties occurring on streets rated at 30mph or higher.

• Proven Results: TfL studies analyzing 150 previous 20mph schemes found a 34% reduction in deaths and serious injuries on local roads.

Councillor Calum O’Byrne Mulligan, Cabinet Member for Transport, Climate Change, Waste and Streets, noted that aligning local roads with a default 20mph limit brings consistency for drivers while protecting vulnerable road users. The proposal forms part of Greenwich's wider Transport Strategy and supports the Mayor of London's Vision Zero initiative to eliminate road fatalities in the capital by 2041.

Have your say

Residents wishing to submit feedback or formal objections to the proposal must do so in writing during the statutory consultation period.  Have your say on the proposals to introduce 20mph speed limits in the Royal Borough of Greenwich here.

Is 20 plenty?  Let us know in the comments below.