A1 20mph limit row
Published: 5 February 2010
by PETER GRUNER
A ROW has erupted over a call to introduce a 20mph speed limit in busy Holloway Road, one of the borough’s major traffic arteries.
Islington has already become the first borough in the country to introduce 20mph throughout its minor roads. But the scheme, to be officially launched next month with the erection of new speed signs, has been condemned by senior police officers as “unenforceable”.
Tim Newark, Islington’s Taxpayers Alliance representative, accused the Green Party, who are campaigning for the scheme, of “political posturing”.
But Caroline Russell, chairwoman of the pedestrian pressure group Living Streets, is calling for it to be expanded to cover major roads, including the Holloway Road A1, which is controlled by Transport for London (TfL). She said she believes 20mph limits improve traffic flow because there is less stop-start driving.
Ms Russell, who has a degree in civil engineering and is standing for the Green Party for Highbury West in the local elections, said slowing down traffic on main routes through the borough will be a priority if she is elected.
She plans to target TfL, who are responsible for the major routes in the borough, to convince them to at least put the A1 on a 20mph trial. Ms Russell added: “The majority of drivers appear to comply with the scheme where it is currently working. It’s not just a matter of safety – it’s also about quality of life.”
Mr Newark said there is no evidence that 20mph improves traffic flow. “On the contrary,” he added. “A scheme like this on main routes would disrupt traffic flow and slow buses. The Lib Dems on Islington were pushed into this scheme by the Greens without properly thinking it through.”