Newham: Borough-wide 20mph speed limit introduced by council

An East London council is introducing a borough-wide 20mph speed limit in a bid to clamp down on traffic accidents and to make roads safer for residents.

Newham Council will bring in a 20mph speed limit/zone on all roads apart from the A13 Newham Way, the A406 North Circular and the Lower Lea Crossing - over which Transport for London (TfL) has control - and private roads. Cabinet approval was given on Tuesday (September 5).

The scheme will be rolled out in phases over the next two years and will see speed limit signs and road markings implemented first, followed by speed surveys that will look at how each of the 20mph zones have performed.

Cllr James Asser, cabinet member for environment and sustainable transport, told the cabinet meeting: “This extends something that is already in place in the east of the borough; this is very much about road safety and ties in with the commitments we’ve made to improving our roads and making them safer.”

He went on to say: “It’s particular important for pedestrians and cyclists but it’s also important for people who are driving. Nobody wants to be in a collision and if anyone has ever been in one of any kind it’s extremely unpleasant and can obviously be fatal as well.”

According to Transport for London (TfL) data, Newham has seen 5,200 casualties relating to road accidents from October 2017 to October 2022. Of those casualties, 16 people died, there were 598 serious injuries and 4,585 slight injuries. Most of the serious injuries and deaths took place on roads with a 30mph speed limit.

The report noted: “Although speed was not always the main cause or contributory factor in these collisions, it is likely that reducing the speed limit on these roads would lead to a reduction in the number and severity of the injuries.”

Cllr Asser said: “I think this is going to be hugely important for all of our residents and all of our businesses in the borough and particularly should have an impact with children too.”

Cabinet members agreed the recommendations in the report and the scheme was approved. However, the Labour cabinet has come under fire by Green councillors for a “delay” in implementing the scheme and the two-year timeline set out for it.

The leader of Newham’s Green Party, Cllr Danny Keeling, said: “Introducing a 20mph speed limit borough-wide is the right thing to do, and Greens unequivocally support it, that’s why both parties backed the policy in our election manifestos endorsed by almost 80% of voters.

“We know that collisions at this speed are significantly less likely and less fatal and that it does not substantially impact journey times, but we shouldn’t have to wait two years for safe streets – that’s not what residents voted for.”