London Mayor Sadiq Khan has significantly increased the number of roads under his control with 20mph speed limits, expanding these zones from 50 miles in 2021 to 166 miles as of March this year. This expansion means nearly half of the approximately 360 miles of roads managed by Transport for London (TfL), which Khan chairs, are now subject to the lower speed limit.
This initiative is part of Khan's "Vision Zero" strategy, which aims to eliminate road fatalities and serious injuries. When roads managed by local borough councils are included, more than half of Greater London's highways now have 20mph limits, a trend that has been adopted in other parts of England as a default for residential roads.
Critics, including Tory shadow transport minister Greg Smith, have labeled the move as part of a "war on motorists," citing it alongside other charges and restrictions implemented under Khan's administration. These include the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), increased Congestion Zone charges, new river crossing tolls, and a significant rise in revenue from bus lane fines. TfL reported netting £6.6 million from bus lane fines last year, a substantial increase from the previous year.
While evidence suggests 20mph limits can reduce average speeds and decrease the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads, drivers have expressed concerns about their proliferation. Complaints include the introduction of these limits on roads where they are perceived as unnecessary, potential confusion for drivers, and an increase in fines. Data from police forces indicates a substantial rise in drivers caught speeding in 20mph zones across the country, with some accusing Labour-run areas of treating drivers as "cash cows."
A TfL spokesman defended the policy, stating, "The evidence is clear that 20mph speed limits save lives, with TfL’s latest long-term research showing a 34 per cent reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on borough roads following the introduction of 20mph schemes."