Palmerston Residents Association call for 20mph limit for the Sydenham Area

Palmerston Residents Association, part of national campaigning charity Living Streets, is calling for Department Of Environment to introduce 20mph limits across all of the area’s residential streets. This move would have an immediate impact on the community, drastically cutting road casualties. 20mph limits can also cut CO2 emissions from traffic by encouraging smoother traffic flow, and making it safer and more attractive for people to walk and cycle around.

A pedestrian hit at 20 mph has a 95% chance of survival. The transition from minor injuries with little long term impact, to the major injuries that ruin lives, occurs at 20 mph. Research shows that lowering the speed limit to 20 mph reduces total traffic casualties by 60%, and child casualties by 70%.

“20mph is a civilised speed for residential areas”Says Terry Hoey of Palmerston Residents Association Living Streets. “Obviously there will be exceptions for major, busy roads that need to keep the vehicles moving, but wherever there are schools and houses and shops, 20mph should become the standard. We want the Department of Environment to show that they put people first in our community, and introduce 20mph as the speed limit in all minor roads within the Sydenham Area

20mph limits can also cut emissions of CO2 from vehicle traffic through easing the stop/start conditions of many streets and by encouraging a shift to walking or cycling rather than taking the car for short journeys.

Terry Hoey said “What really causes high emissions is using the car for short distances, which often could be easily walked. Having a top speed limit of 20mph in residential streets would encourage more people to walk. If 20mph limits are implemented more widely and done in the right way, they can also ease traffic flow which helps cut emissions.”

For more information contact Terry Hoey email terryhoey@palmerston-residents-association.org Tel02890654471.