Opposition group leader claims scheme will “cause more traffic, pollution and inconvenience”, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Green Lanes in Palmers Green and (inset) a 20mph sign

Residents have until the end of October to comment on 20mph speed limit proposals for three borough town centres.

Following a broader consultation earlier this year, Enfield Council is now outlining its specific plans to reduce the speed limit in Edmonton, Palmers Green and Southgate town centres.

The council lists the benefits to the proposal including speed being a “contributing factor to 61% of recorded injury-related collisions”.

It says there are 42% fewer road collisions after implementing 20mph speed limits and a person hit by a vehicle travelling at 20mph is five times more likely to survive than if the vehicle is travelling at 30mph.

The council states there is “cleaner air and lower emissions” due to “smoother driving and less braking” as well as more people feeling encouraged to walk or cycle.

From July to September the council asked residents to comment on 20mph plans across the borough generally, with 1,749 people responding.

Results showed 51% of respondents were either “highly supportive or somewhat supportive” of implementation of 20mph limits on residential streets, while 45% were “not very supportive or not at all” and 4% remained neutral.

For town centres, 53% of residents were supportive while 40% were not and 7% were neutral. In terms of themes, the council stated residents did not want to see 20mph “on all roads”.

However, Conservative group leader Alessandro Georgiou said residents were “rightly angry” as some felt these plans would “cause more traffic, pollution and inconvenience”. He said: “Residents don’t want it as they know the chaos that it will cause.”

The current consultation, which runs until Sunday, 26th October, lists the roads the proposal will cover in each area.

For more information or to take part in the consultation:
Visit Safer Streets in Enfield: 20mph Speed Limits

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