Request ID: FOI-2029-2324 Date published: 22 November 2023
You asked
I just wondered if you might be able to provide me with the following figures please...
• How much the implementation of the 65km of 'new lower speed limit schemes' is expected to cost, including the 'new signs and road markings' and 'banners attached to street lamps' (and these costs broken down if possible)
• How much any consultation on the new lower speed limit scheme has cost
We answered
Our ref: FOI-2029-2324/GH Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 11 September 2023 asking for information about new lower speed limit schemes. Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
How much the implementation of the 65km of 'new lower speed limit schemes' is expected to cost, including the 'new signs and road markings' and 'banners attached to street lamps' (and these costs broken down if possible)
Each year in London, more than 1000 people are injured or killed by drivers exceeding the speed limit and lowering speed limits is a key part of the Mayor's Vision Zero goal to eliminate death and serious injury from London's transport network.
Collision data from around the world shows that the speed at which people are driving or riding is the single most important factor in whether a collision takes place and how severely people are injured. Around half of the 2022 fatal collisions in London (48 out of 99) reported speed as a contributory factor.
Indicative TfL monitoring of the 20mph speed limits introduced on roads within the central London Congestion Charging Zone shows a significant reduction in the number of collisions since its introduction. Interim monitoring post implementation of 20mph in central London found a 36 per cent reduction in collisions involving vulnerable road users and a 25 per cent decrease in collisions resulting in death or serious injury since the introduction of the lower speed limits. The reduction in collisions resulting in death or serious injury on roads within the central London Congestion Charging Zone should be seen in the context of a London-wide reduction in collisions resulting in death or serious injury of around 10 per cent over the same period. This demonstrates that reducing speeds leads to greater benefits than on roads where speeds have not been reduced.
The requested figures are as follows, based on the live cost plan of 2 October 2023. Please note that these include both actual costs spent to date and forecast costs to the end of the financial year. TLRN is the Transport for London Road Network – see https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/what-we-do#on-this-page-6
Activity
Cost
65km of new lower speed limits (TOTAL)
£1,965,531
Signs and Lines including local engagement letters and detailed design
1
West Wickham town centre 20mph
£38,883
2
A205 in Greenwich 20mph
£128,290
3
Lambeth TLRN 20mph
£461,955
4
Southwark TLRN 20mph
£251,992
5
Lewisham TLRN 20mph
£198,421
6
A20 in Greenwich 20mph
£118,337
7
A24 in Wandsworth & Merton 20mph
£110,512
8
Royal Borough of Kensington &Chelsea TLRN 20mph
£259,603
9
A4180 Ruislip Road 30mph
£47,350
10
Lamp column mounted banners*
£74,028
11
Marketing and Communications
£276,160
*For installation costs only. Excludes prior costs spent on banner design utilised for all waves of 20mph delivery, banner printing and fixing equipment which has been reutilised in each delivery wave.
For marketing and communications, we launched an online awareness campaign centred around digital banners on websites and a localised radio campaign to raise wider awareness of the works but also to influence motorists at the point where they are making decisions about the speed they are driving. The cost of this activity is included in row 11 above.
How much any consultation on the new lower speed limit scheme has cost Where the speed limit is being lowered by way of signs and lines only, we hold local engagement to seek views on the changes before they are introduced. We completed letter drops for a mile radius of all affected corridors directing the public to our ‘have your say’ page for more details – https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/lowering-speed-limits. TfL also invites comments on the experience of the new lower speed limits once the works are complete, and safer speed limits are in operation. Statutory consultation was undertaken for the traffic orders and these were advertised in the local press. In order to raise driver awareness of the speed limit changes, we have also launched an online digital and radio campaign; the radio campaign targeting motorists at the point where they are making decisions about their vehicle speed. The costs of these activities are included in the project level figures above, in rows 1-9. If this is not the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal. Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt
FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
