Edmonton, Southgate and Palmers Green have been chosen as the best locations for the new lower speed limit, with previous plans for a borough-wide scheme being ditched

Southgate Circus and (inset) a 20mph zone sign

Enfield Council has agreed to go ahead with the introduction of 20mph zones in three town centres.

Edmonton, Palmers Green and Southgate have all been chosen for new, lower speed limits, following two public consultations last year.

However, the £4million scheme is not yet fully funded, with Transport for London (TfL) only stumping up £1.6m of cash so far and no council funds being available. Talks are ongoing over the remaining money.

The council had originally proposed a wider 20mph scheme covering most of the borough, but after 59% of respondents to the first consultation raised concerns, the civic centre decided to go with the three town centres instead, which was subject to a second statutory consultation last October.

A council decision report signed off by cabinet member Sabri Ozaydin earlier this month said: “The proposals are designed to improve safety and support a more pleasant environment for everyone travelling, while recognising that some roads serve an important transport function.”

It adds: “Moving forward with the scheme in town centres allows the council to take timely action in areas with the highest levels of footfall and activity, while ensuring feedback on individual streets continues to be carefully reviewed and analysed to inform potential future phases.

“This proposal directly supports the ambitions of the [London] mayor’s transport strategy and the Enfield transport strategy, both of which prioritise safer streets, healthier neighbourhoods and increased levels of walking, wheeling and cycling and public transport use.

“By lowering speed limits in town centres, the council will be creating safer and more attractive spaces for residents, visitors and businesses, helping to reduce road danger and encourage active travel.”

The council report cites analysis by TfL using collision data over a five-year period, which had shown that 61% of all recorded collisions listed speed as a contributing factor.

It further states that “research and evidence from TfL and other London boroughs has shown that reducing vehicle speeds demonstrates benefits” including “improved road safety”, “cleaner air and lower emissions”, “calmer, more liveable neighbourhoods”, “support for local businesses” and “no significant increases to journey times”.

The report also points out that “in general, the majority of roads within the borough already experience average traffic speeds of less than or close to 20mph” and that “approximately 27% of the borough’s roads are already subject to a 20mph limit”.

However, opposition Conservative group leader Alessandro Georgiou has criticised the lower speed limits and claimed it “will cause increased pollution, congestion and grind Enfield to a halt”.

He said: “This is nothing but another war on the driver which will make all our lives harder.”

In Edmonton, the 20mph zone will start from the southern end of Fore Street in Angel Edmonton up to Edmonton Green Shopping Centre, as well as some side roads and a short section of Church Street and Hertford Road in Edmonton Green.

In Palmers Green, the 20mph zone will extend along Green Lanes, starting from the borough border with Haringey in the south and continuing up to the junction with Hedge Lane in the north. Aldermans Hill, Palmerston Crescent and Elmdale Road are also included.

In Southgate, the 20mph zone will begin at the Cannon Hill and Aldermans Hill junction, extending north along The Green and Southgate High Street. Chase Side, part of Chase Road, Crown Lane, Ashfield Parade and several side streets are also included.

The council report states that the full cost of implementing the scheme will be just over £4m, but that this would need to be covered by TfL grant funding. So far, only £1.6m has been agreed with TfL for the current financial year, with “discussions ongoing for future years”.

“Should the future amounts not be agreed the project will be stopped,” the report adds.

For more information on the new 20mph zones being implemented:
Visit letstalk.enfield.gov.uk/20mph

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