Lower speed limits with the introduction of another wave of zones

Highways engineers are installing signs and road markings in four new areas of the borough and the new 20mph limits are expected to come into effect in the next few days. The speed restrictions will apply in:

• All of Thamesfield ward in Putney
• The Girdwood Road area of Southfields bounded by West Hill, Sutherland Grove, Augustus Road and Princes Way.
• The Putney Vale area covering Frensham Drive, Stroud Crescent, Friars Avenue and Stag Lane.
• Victoria Drive in Southfields between Albert Drive and Wimbledon Park Road.

Residents in these areas were all consulted and asked if they wanted lower speed limits introduced in their neighbourhoods. In each case the overwhelming majority of people said yes.

Councillors have always said that wherever there is significant support for a 20mph limit in a particular area they will invite everyone living there to have their say. This has led to many zones being established in the borough.

Recently councillors approved plans for a forthcoming borough-wide consultation asking residents if they supported the idea of 20mph limits in all residential parts of Wandsworth.

Transport spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook said, “The work to establish these four new zones is well underway and residents in these parts of the borough will soon see lower speed limits in their neighbourhoods. We have also been assured by the police that they will enforce the new limits but hopefully drivers will slow down anyway rather than run the risk of getting points on their licence.

“We have introduced lower speed limits across large parts of Wandsworth and due to the support expressed by many local residents we will soon be conducting a much more widespread public consultation to test exactly how much backing there is among the wider community.

“Our firmly held view is that changes like this can only legitimately be decided by the people who would be most directly affected. It would be quite wrong to simply implement a significant change like this without asking local people for their opinion first.”

This has been welcomed by The Putney Society who have campaigned for the reduction of speed limits in residential areas. The Chair of the Putney Society, Judith Chegwidden told this website: "The Putney Society is delighted that a 20mph zone is gradually being introduced across the borough and particularly pleased about extension of the 20mph zone in Putney. Earlier in the year we - along with Wandsworth Living Streets - made a deputation to the council committee, pressing the case for a 20mph zone in Thamesfield and for the extension across all residential streets in the Borough. Councillors responded positively - with the result that these 20mph zones are being rolled without delay."

November 21, 2015