SOUTHWARK PLAN BOROUGH-WIDE 20MPH SPEED LIMIT FOR DRIVERS – BUT NOT FOR CYCLISTS
SOUTHWARK COUNCIL are planning to introduce a 20 mph speed limit for all vehicles on ALL the borough’s roads.
But cyclists – who don’t pay road tax – will be able to travel at more than 20 mph WITHOUT facing council action.
An announcement on Southwark council’s website headed Borough-wide 20mph speed limit states:
OverviewThe Council is committed to reducing road casualties in the borough and creating a more pleasant environment for everyone.
What It is proposed to extend the coverage of 20mph speed limits to all roads in Southwark. This will include all main roads for which Southwark is the Highway Authority.How A borough-wide 20mph speed limit will be implemented by using signage and road markings only. There will not be any additional speed humps or speed cushions installed as part of this.
When It is hoped to complete the 20mph programme within the next six months following statutory consultation and subject to the necessary approvals.
And in a follow-up press release dated July 24th Southwark’s cabinet member for transport Cllr Mark Williams said: “The council sees the establishment of a 20 mph borough as significant step forward in ensuring the safety of all road users not least cyclists and pedestrians.
“To achieve this we feel that all vehicles should limit their speed to 20 mph.”The report published on July 18th to determine the statutory objections relating to a borough-wide 20mph speed limit makes it clear that orders made under Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 can apply to motor vehicles only and as such any prosecution by the police for breaches of the speed limit under that Act would be limited to motorised vehicles only.
“Accordingly the traffic order will be amended to make reference to “motorised vehicles” only.”The council does not have powers to prosecute cyclists who travel in excess of 20 mph and recognises that dangerous cycling is a matter for the police alone.
“Nor are we seeking to ‘target’ cyclists for enforcement, rather to reflect the concerns raised by pedestrians about the problems caused by a small minority of cyclists whose speed endangers other road users.”
Nobody pays road tax, there is no such tax. Drivers pay Vehicle Excise Duty, which is a tax on motor vehicles.