Sign petition for 20mph limit (From Times Series)

Sign petition for 20mph limit

9:59am Friday 14th October 2011 in Opinion

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond recently announced he wanted a big increase in 20mph speed limit zones in urban areas, along with his call for the motorway speed limit to rise to 80mph.

Let’s hope Barnet’s councillor for the environment, Brian Coleman, is paying attention, as we sorely need a 20mph limit on residential streets in this area.

Barnet’s road casualty figures are a disgrace. In 2010, it had the highest number of road deaths in London and the second highest number of people suffering injury on our roads.

Transport for London boasts road casualties across London have plunged by 57 percent in the past ten years, but figures in Barnet are back on a rising trend and stand near the same level as in 2003 when Cllr Coleman unilaterally declared the abolition of road humps without proposing any alternative traffic-calming measures.

The 20mph speed limits, already in operation in many boroughs around the country, are a proven way of reducing road accidents and are supported by the NHS among other organisations.

It is fair to say many people are less than keen on road humps but 20mph limits are an effective alternative.

Slower vehicles also mean adults and children feel more comfortable walking and cycling along roads near where they live, boosting numbers of people using community shops and helping convince parents to scrap the school run and encourage their children go to school under their own steam.

Barnet Green Party has launched an online version of its petition for a 20mph limit on Barnet residential streets. Please sign it at: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/20-mph-speed-limit-on-barnet-residential-streets.html

Andrew Newby
chairman, Barnet Green Party