OPINION - The Standard View: On many of London’s roads, 20mph is indeed plenty
For much of the time on London’s roads, 30mph is a theoretical rather than practical speed limit. As of 2021, average speeds during the central London evening peak were 9.6mph, rising to 19.4mph in outer regions.
Consequently, TfL’s decision to reduce the speed limit on ‘red route’ main roads across five boroughs is unlikely to have an outsized impact on journey times. What the evidence suggests it will do is save lives. The Transport for London Road Network found that at sites it monitored, collisions resulting in death or serious injury fell by a quarter after speed limits were reduced to 20mph.
Now, TfL wants nearly 140 miles of main roads to have that limit by the end of next year as part of Sadiq Khan’s “Vision Zero” target of reducing road deaths to nought by 2041. For drivers who grew up with 30mph limits, this change may feel like an imposition. The reality is on many roads, 20mph is plenty — and a welcome new normal.
UK’s net zero test
The UK is sometimes a world leader in combating climate change. The 2008 Climate Change Act was a pioneering piece of legislation, making Britain the first in the world to set a legally-binding climate mitigation target. This was upgraded in 2019 by Theresa May, who enshrined a 2050 net zero target in law. But we now risk being left behind, an eventuality that would damage not only our natural environment, but devastate our economy.
Today, the Government released its revised Net Zero Strategy. The plan includes commitments on energy security, from renewables and nuclear to carbon capture and storage. Ministers have focused on energy security, an issue brought to the fore by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Yet there is far more to net zero than security of supply. A global economic race is being run. US President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act is a potential gamechanger, and the UK risks being left behind as investment and the jobs of the future leave.
The announcement of funds to boost the electric car charging network for London and the South-East is welcome. As is a focus on energy efficiency measures and changes to planning regulations. But there can be little scope for over-ambition when it comes to averting catastrophic climate change.
Dippy is old news
Sorry, Dippy, you’ve been blown out of the water. The Natural History Museum’s much-loved diplodocus is at least not in town to see the giant sauropod unveiled today.
The patagotitan, one of the largest land animals ever and roughly four times the size of poor Dippy, is the star of the museum’s new titanosaur exhibition.
The display is a triumph of modern storytelling and old-fashioned archaeology. With Easter approaching, dinosaur fans of all ages can delight themselves with a new twist on classic family activity: gawping at a marvellous, gigantic skeleton.
