Council are considering introducing borough wide limit on residential roads
This would cover all residential roads in Wandsworth apart from the following main traffic routes, which would keep a 30mph limit:
* the "Red Route" roads managed by Transport for London
* other main traffic roads, classified as "A" or "B" roads
* Also excluded are roads not maintained by the Highway Authority, such as private roads and roads on Council estates.
View:
* list of excluded Borough main traffic roads
* map of excluded Borough main traffic roads
* map of all excluded main traffic roads, Transport for London red routes and Borough main traffic roads
* map of proposed borough wide 20mph speed limit
Many residential roads already have a 20mph speed limit and some areas have physical traffic calming features. No changes are being proposed to these.
The consultation is whether to introduce a 20mph limit across the borough on those residential roads that are currently 30mph, but excludes main traffic routes.
No additional speed reducing features, such as road humps, are proposed.
In some roads, where the existing mean traffic speed is above 24mph, and to comply with Department for Transport regulations, white road markings in the shape of a speed cushion (ghost cushion) may be required. The idea is to give the impression to drivers that traffic calming is a feature and they should moderate their speed accordingly. Whilst this may not have the same speed-reducing effect as a physical measure it has been used in other areas with some success.
20mph gateway signage is required on all access points into a 20mph area to inform drivers that they are entering or leaving the 20mph speed limit area.
20mph speed limit repeater signs and road markings would be required throughout the areas.
What is the difference between a 'speed limit area' and 'Zone'
A 20mph zone must have traffic calming introduced on all roads within the zone which would amount to thousands of new humps, speed cushions, rumble strips or chicanes. The aim is to make it physically difficult for traffic to speed, but the cost to introduce all these humps throughout the whole Borough would be about £4million. Residents have previously told us that they do not want these features put on their roads.
This proposal is about introducing a 'speed limit area' using 20mph signage and road markings such as 'ghost cushions' without introducing physical features such as road humps. The Metropolitan Police would assist with driver education and enforcement in future if required. Additionally the speed limit area would be monitored and reviewed to check how it is working.
Consultation closing date - Respond to the consultation by Sunday 15 May 2016 (midnight).
Results of this consultation will be reported to councillors at the Community Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee later this year and will be made available on the council website.
April 22, 2016