Key Points
- Newham Council has completed the borough-wide rollout of 20mph speed limits.
- Initiative aims to reduce road collisions and improve road safety.
- Part of Vision Zero strategy, targeting zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2041.
- Between 2017-2022, Newham recorded 5,200 road casualties, including 16 fatalities and 598 serious injuries.
- Data shows reducing speed by 1mph can decrease collisions by up to 6%.
- Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE and Councillor Sarah Ruiz back the initiative, citing safety and health benefits.
- Mandy Young, Deputy Head Teacher, welcomes the move, saying it makes travel safer for children.
- Research highlights higher fatality rates in deprived areas, with young men most at risk.
- Some major roads are exempt from the 20mph limit, including Newham Way (A13) and Royal Docks Road (A1020).
- Aligns with Transport for London (TfL) and neighbouring boroughs adopting similar speed limits.
Why has Newham introduced a 20mph speed limit?
Newham Council has officially completed the rollout of 20mph speed limits across the borough, a key step in its commitment to reducing road danger and improving public health. The initiative forms part of London’s Vision Zero strategy, which aims to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on roads by 2041.
Between 2017 and 2022, Newham recorded 5,200 road collision casualties, including 16 fatalities and 598 serious injuries. Council data highlights that most of these incidents occurred on roads with a 30mph speed limit. Studies suggest that even a 1mph reduction in speed can lower the risk of collisions by up to 6%.
Newham Council has completed the rollout of 20mph speed limits across the borough! This vital step in road safety aims to reduce collisions and fatalities, supporting the Vision Zero strategy to eliminate serious injuries by 2041.https://t.co/7dX88XtOBk@rokhsanafiaz pic.twitter.com/ANcS9IDkY9
— Newham London 💙 (@NewhamLondon) February 10, 2025
Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, described the completion of the project as a “significant achievement” in making streets safer.
“By reducing road danger, we’re helping to protect vulnerable communities and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, can travel safely. As we work towards Vision Zero, this step is an important part of our commitment to creating a safer, greener, and more connected Newham for all.”
How will the 20mph limit improve road safety?
Councillor Sarah Ruiz, Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Environment, Sustainable Transport, Children Services and Education, emphasized that slower speeds could prevent serious injuries and fatalities while also encouraging more people to walk and cycle.
“By reducing speed, we can significantly lower the risk of serious injuries and fatalities while promoting healthier lifestyles. This initiative reflects our commitment to improving road safety and addressing health inequalities.”
Mandy Young, Deputy Head Teacher of Rebecca Cheetham Nursery School and Children’s Centre, welcomed the change, stating:
“We encourage our children to walk, cycle, and scoot to school, and reduced traffic speeds make it easier and safer for them to do so.”
What impact will lower speed limits have on health and inequality?
Studies show that road traffic fatalities disproportionately affect deprived communities, particularly young men. Between 2017 and 2019, those in the most deprived 30% of London had double the rate of fatalities or serious injuries compared to those in wealthier areas.
Newham Council hopes the borough-wide 20mph limit will help reduce these inequalities by making roads safer for all residents, regardless of background.
Which roads are excluded from the 20mph speed limit?
While most streets in Newham will now be 20mph zones, some major roads will retain higher speed limits, including:
- Newham Way (A13)
- Royal Docks Road (A1020)
- Woolwich Manor Way (between Gallions Roundabout and Woodman Street)
- Sir Steve Redgrave Bridge and Albert Road (A117)
- Lower Lea Crossing (A1020)
Additionally, private streets and roads not managed by the council are exempt from the programme.
How does this align with other London boroughs?
Newham’s new 20mph speed limits align with similar initiatives in Hackney, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest, where local authorities have either implemented or are working towards reducing speed limits.
Transport for London (TfL) has also introduced 20mph zones on many of its roads, ensuring a more consistent speed limit across London.
What are the wider benefits of a 20mph speed limit?
Beyond road safety, the council highlights several additional benefits of lower speed limits, including:
- Reducing the number of collisions
- Lowering the risk of serious injuries, especially for pedestrians
- Cutting noise and air pollution from traffic
- Encouraging walking and cycling
This initiative is part of Newham’s broader strategy to create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable borough.
What happens next?
The council will monitor the impact of the speed limits and work with residents, businesses, and TfL to assess their effectiveness.
Newham residents are encouraged to share feedback on how the new speed limits are affecting their daily lives.
