News from Westminster Labour

Westminster Labour launches ‘20 is plenty’ speed limit campaign

Labour campaign launched after Conservatives refuse to back the introduction of a 20mph speed limit on residential roads.

Following Westminster Conservatives’ refusal at this week’s Council meeting to back a call to introduce a 20 mph speed limit on Westminster’s residential roads, Labour Councillors have launched a ‘20 is plenty’ campaign and have vowed to make this an election issue in May’s City Council elections.

Department for Transport figures show that in 2008, 1,604 people were injured in road accidents in Westminster, including 20 people who lost their lives. This includes 272 people were either killed or seriously injured on the roads in Westminster, of which 8 were children.

In all, Westminster had the highest number of pedestrians, pedal cyclists and motorcyclists killed or seriously injured of any London borough.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group said:

“This campaign goes way beyond party politics. It is simply the right thing to do. The evidence that a 20 mph speed limit on residential roads would cut deaths and serious injuries is overwhelming. Research from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, published in the British Medical Journal recently, found that 20 mph zones were associated with a 40 per cent reduction in casualties.”

“The greatest reduction, according to the research, was among children and the seriously injured. In addition, pedestrian injuries were reduced by nearly a third and cycling casualties by 17 per cent. In areas adjacent to 20 mph zones casualties fell by 8 per cent.”

“Statistics show if you hit someone at 30mph they will probably die. But if they are hit by a car travelling at 10mph less and they will almost certainly live.”

“Of course, reducing the speed limit will increase the time it takes to go from A to B. But the Policy Studies Institute has calculated the actual additional time for a driver on a typical weekday to cover one kilometre on a road with a 20mph speed limit is less than 30 seconds. Is someone’s life worth less than getting somewhere less than 30 seconds earlier?”

“Reducing road deaths and serious injuries will not only mean less misery and sadness for so many families, but it will also cut the costs to the health service, the police and emergency services generally.”

“Most people agree that speed humps are not the answer. The Council has already made a decision not to introduce any more speed humps because it says that this slows down ambulances taking patients to hospital.”

“When Islington residents were asked their views recently, 61 per cent supported a 20 mph speed limit. This is a significant margin and I believe we would have a similar level of support in Westminster. Residents will have an opportunity to vote for a 20mph speed limit when Labour Candidates across Westminster will be making this a key election issue in May.”

Other news from Westminster Labour

• Westminster Council joint bottom of London league for Adult Social Care - 6 February 2012
• Westminster Labour calls for an 'outbreak of democracy' over election of new council Leader - 2 February 2012
• West End Commission – open letter to Westminster's Chief Executive - 21 January 2012