'Every Islington street should have 20mph limit'

Islington could become the first borough in London to introduce a blanket 20mph speed limit.

The Green party idea will be debated by the Liberal Democrat-run council next month.

If the plan is accepted, it will mean the council has to negotiate with Transport for London to put the limit on main roads through the borough.

TfL controls arterial routes such as Holloway Road, Pentonville Road and Camden Road.

A series of 20mph zones has already been introduced in residential areas across London, particularly near schools, but this would be the first time a local authority has introduced a blanket limit.

Green Party councillor Katie Dawson, who put forward the motion to the council, said: "Everyone knows that a 20mph limit means fewer deaths and serious injuries, less noise and less pollution.

"Parliament has recommended 20mph zones, the Mayor [of London] is in favour.

"All we need now is for a council to show leadership and get on and do it. It would be great for Islington to lead the way."

Ms Dawson has received backing from the council's 23-strong Labour group and is hopeful the Lib-Dems will follow suit.

The initiative comes as a new report by children's welfare project Play England recommended that more cities should adopt 20mph limits in residential streets.

The project said cars were squeezing children out.

Portsmouth has already introduced such a scheme, but Islington would be the first borough in London to follow suit.

Last month, Mayor Ken Livingstone prepared the way for 20mph limits in every residential street in London when he announced trials of new enforcement technology. The trials, which will begin next year, will use wireless cameras that are cheaper and easier to install than conventional wired speed traps.

Mr Livingstone said the existing zones, such as those in Camden, had been "stunningly successful" after reducing accidents by 57 per cent.

A TfL spokeswoman said: "There is a strong case for a 20mph speed limit on residential streets and around schools where it significantly reduces casualties from accidents."

She said introducing 20mph speed limits, enforced by physical barriers such as road humps, makes"less sense on major trunk roads where it would significantly disrupt rush-hour traffic".

A spokesman for the RAC said: "With road congestion as it is, it's important to keep traffic flowing but this should not be at the expense of safety.

"Our view is that each situation should be looked at individually. We would support targeted measures rather than a blanket ban."

Mr Livingstone said the existing zones, such as those in Camden, had been "stunningly successful" after reducing accidents by 57 per cent.

A TfL spokeswoman said: "There is a strong case for a 20mph speed limit on residential streets and around schools where it significantly reduces casualties from accidents."

She said introducing 20mph speed limits, enforced by physical barriers such as road humps, makes "less sense on major trunk roads where it would significantly disrupt rush-hour traffic".

A spokesman for the RAC said: "With road congestion as it is, it's important to keep traffic flowing but this should not be at the expense of safety.

"Our view is that each situation should be looked at individually. We would support targeted measures rather than a blanket ban."