20mph zones and Coney Hall

Once again I have written to the local council asking for 20mph zones in Coney Hall. I know it's not everyones cup of tea but trust me, you'll only get there 30 seconds later but all our quality of life will improve dramatically. See the letter below. And I'll post the response when I eventually here back:

Dear Sir / Madam,

A few years ago I wrote to the council proposing 20mph speed restrictions in the Coney Hall area. Since that time more local councils across the UK have decided to implement 20mph speed restrictions on their local roads. Additionally the EU Transport Committee has called for 20mph speed limits for residential streets and the revised DfT guidance has incorporated the changes on 20mph limits made in the 2011 signage review which made it cheaper and more flexible for traffic authorities to implement and mix 20mph limits and zones.

Camden council are now implementing 20mph across residential roads joining councils across the UK such as Portsmouth, Brighton & Hove, Islington, Warrington, Liverpool, Wirral, Wigan, Lancashire, Oxford, York, Cambridge, Waltham Forrest, Newcastle, Hackney, Bristol, Bishopbriggs, Middlesbrough, Bath & NE Somerset and Darlington.

In an area with a primary school, two nursery schools, a park and a high concentration of families with young kids, Coney Hall would seem to be a good candidate for 20mph restrictions. The returns on relatively minor street signage costs will see a lowering of noise and air pollution with a corresponding increase on the quality of life for all in the neighbourhood. Perhaps local schools could run a competition to create signs encouraging drivers to drive carefully in Coney Hall.

The argument that 20mph zones are not enforceable or are an additional drain on police time is a moot point as there is no rigorous enforcement of current 30/40 mph speeds in the area. The fact that these limits are broken many thousands a time a day is testament to that. Any speed restrictions will be self enforcing and part of a wider cultural change which means that in all likelihood a 20mph zone will see cars slowing down to the 30mph average (which is an improvement on 40mph in a 30mph zone).

The difference between 20mph and 30mph to a child walking or cycling to school can mean the difference between life and death.

I ask you once again to please consider carefully the proposal or perhaps put the proposal to the local community in the form of a public consultation.

Yours Sincerely