Residents still have time to respond on council plans to make Croydon a 20mph borough, as part of its pledge to make its roads safer and environment cleaner.
The statutory consultation process on the proposals, which opened last month, is closing next week (15 February).
The proposal is to take 20mph limits to three remaining areas of the borough where they have not been implemented or are in the process of being implemented.
The proposal includes parts of North-west, South-east and South-west Croydon. If approved, the plans will make Croydon a 20mph borough, with the exception of major through roads and roads where it is impractical.
Extensive 20mph limits reduce the risk and severity of accidents, cut congestion and pollution levels, encourage less car use and discourage rat-running in quieter streets.
The roads included in the new changes will all have 20mph signs, and drivers caught speeding by police can expect fines, points on their licence or even prosecution.
The council will also monitor traffic speeds within the 20mph roads. If speeding remains an issue, further action can be taken which could include traffic calming measures as well as requests for targeted police enforcement.
On several roads where 20mph has already been implemented, the council has also installed numberplate recognition speed visors and electronic signs that flash up each vehicle’s speed to further encourage motorists to stick within the legal limit.
“If we can reduce the speeds at which motorists travel, then we reduce the risk of accidents and the risk and severity of injury. Slowing motorists down will also make our roads more accessible for cyclists and pedestrians, encouraging greener methods of transport and helping to cut pollution, which will in turn make our streets cleaner and more enjoyable places to be.”
“Residents in many areas of Croydon regularly lobby the council to tackle speeding cars in their roads. I’m really pleased to be taking forward this ambitious scheme, and encourage anyone who hasn’t already done so to take part in the consultation process.Quote”
Councillor Stuart King, cabinet member for transport and environment
Croydon began implementing 20mph limits last year, following a pledge to implement them across the borough by 2018. The council divided the borough into five areas and, following consultation and cabinet approval, a 20mph limit was introduced in area 1 in September last year. The plans for area 2 were approved in October and will be implemented by the end of March 2017. In December 2016, the council approved plans for a revised, simpler consultation process and to consult on the three remaining areas together.
The consultation period on areas three, four and five has been open since 18 January 2017. The council has written over 90,000 letters to all properties on the roads affected. For more information visit the webpage www.croydon.gov.uk/20mph from where information on the three areas can be accessed.
The council’s Traffic Management Action Committee (TMAC) will consider the responses following the close of the statutory consultation.
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