Labour Councillors have welcomed Westminster Council’s decision to introduce a 20mph speed limit on all roads, following recent consultation when two thirds of the respondents supported the proposal.

The 20mph speed limit comes after there were 3 deaths and 269 seriously injured casualties on Westminster’s roads in 2018 – the highest of any London Borough.

The Council report recommending the 20mph speed limit says:

“Reducing our Borough-wide speed limit from 30mph to 20mph will mean that a person is five times more likely to survive if they are in a collision with a motorised vehicle.

A 20mph Westminster speed limit will also encourage a calmer and more respectful street environment for all of us who live, work, study or visit our great city. The proposal will also seek to encourage more to walk and cycle which in turn will deliver wider health and wellbeing benefits across all age groups.”

Labour say that their ‘20 is Plenty’ campaign, started seven years ago, kick-started the Council initiative. Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Labour spokesperson on City Management, said:

“We welcome the Council’s decision to introduce a 20mph on all Westminster roads. This is something Labour Councillors have been calling for since 2013 and we are delighted that the Council has finally seen the sense in what we have been arguing for all this time. The 20mph speed limit will bring real benefits for everyone living, working and visiting Westminster. The evidence shows that the 20mph speed limit saves lives and reduces serious injuries.”