09/09/2026
Speed limits on nearly all main roads across SE9 and the borough will be reduced to 20mph before the end of the year under proposals announced by Royal Greenwich this morning.
It will include the main arterial roads across SE9 - Bexley Road, Eltham Hill, Well Hall Road, Rochester Way, Footscray Road, Avery Hill Road and Westmount Road. The exception will be the South Circular, which is managed by TfL
It forms part of the borough's strategy to reduce car usage and injuries on roads.
RBG said: "By reducing vehicle speeds, we plan to save lives and create safer, more welcoming streets across Royal Greenwich.
"The safety benefits of a 20mph speed limit are clear. If a person is hit by a vehicle travelling at 30mph, they are five times more likely to be fatally injured than if hit by one at 20mph."
Councillor Calum O’Byrne Mulligan, Cabinet Member for Transport, Climate Change, Waste and Streets, said: "We are proposing to align with other London boroughs with a 20mph default speed limit on council-managed roads, improving safety and consistency.
72% of the borough’s roads already have a 20mph speed limit. "
Residents are invited to comment by quoting the relevant Traffic Management Order (TMO) reference number (19/26) and emailing
[email protected] or writing to Traffic Team,
The Woolwich Centre,35 Wellington Street SE18 6HQ.
The proposals were not highlighted by candidates in the recent May elections but have been part of the council's transport strategies in recent years. Greenwich was criticised by the Mayor of London last year for lagging behind most other boroughs for not implementing the 20mph limit.
Research from TfL suggests, where implemented, it plays no role in reducing car usage, as most of the time spent on journeys in urban London is at junctions and in slow traffic.
According to TfL data, 939 people have been killed or seriously injured on Greenwich's roads in the last 10 years, roughly 77% of whom were hit on streets with speed limits of 30mph or above.
TfL studies of 20mph schemes implemented between 1989 and 2013 have also shown a 34% reduction in those killed or seriously injured on borough roads.
Q&A from RBG
Why is the Royal Borough of Greenwich proposing a borough-wide 20mph speed limit?
We want to make our streets safer, healthier and more pleasant places for everyone. Reducing the speed limit to 20mph on most council-managed roads is intended to:
-reduce the number and severity of road traffic collisions
-make walking, wheeling and cycling feel safer
-improve neighbourhoods for residents
-encourage more active travel
-support the council's ambitions to create safer, more sustainable streets.
Will this improve road safety?
Lower vehicle speeds reduce both the likelihood of collisions occurring and the severity of injuries if they do occur. Reducing speeds provides drivers with more time to react and generally improves safety for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.
Who benefits from 20mph speed limits?
Research also shows that traffic flows better at 20mph, so this can lead to smoother and safer journeys for everyone. What’s the difference between driving at 20mph and driving at 30mph?
First and foremost, if a person is hit by a vehicle travelling at 20mph, they are five times less likely to be fatally injured than if hit by one at 30mph. In the last 10 years, there have been over 7,000 road traffic accidents in our borough alone, including over 900 killed or seriously injured (KSI.) Around 77% of all accidents in Royal Greenwich happened on roads with speed limits of 30mph or above. With injuries classified as ‘slight’ estimated to cost tens of thousands after accounting for emergency services, insurance, legal costs and other expenses, even a modest reduction in accidents on roads with existing speed limits of 30mph would represent a significant saving to UK taxpayers and could save lives in our borough.
Which roads are included?
The proposal applies to most roads managed by the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Some roads, including Transport for London (TfL) roads such as the A2, A206, A102 and other strategic routes, are not included because they are managed by TfL rather than the council.
Why isn't every road included?
We can only change speed limits on roads for which it we’re the highway authority. TfL is responsible for the borough's Red Routes and principal roads. Any changes to those roads would need to be considered separately by TfL. Other private roads, not maintained by Royal Greenwich, will not be amended.
Will this increase my journey times?
Where there is an impact, research suggests that most journeys are only around one minute longer on average, while helping to improve safety for everyone. Journey times in urban areas are generally determined by junctions, pedestrian crossings, traffic signals and congestion rather than the posted speed limit.
In many cases, reducing the speed limit to 20mph has little or no noticeable effect on journey times.
Do 20mph speed limits lead to more traffic?
Traffic in urban areas is dictated by junctions, crossings and lights more than the speed of travel. In fact, some studies have indicated that 20mph speeds can actually improve the flow of traffic due to reduced braking distances, increased capacity at junctions and shifts towards walking or cycling.
Will drivers actually travel at 20mph?
Many drivers already travel close to 20mph in residential streets because of parked vehicles, junctions and traffic conditions. We’d expect average speeds to reduce over time as drivers become familiar with the new and more consistent speed limits right across the borough.
Will there be speed humps or other traffic calming?
Not as part of this proposal. The proposal primarily introduces new speed limit signs and road markings. We’ll continue to monitor roads and may consider additional engineering measures in specific locations if evidence shows they are needed.
How will the new speed limits be enforced?
The Metropolitan Police are responsible for enforcing speed limits.
We may also monitor vehicle speeds after implementation to understand how the new limits are performing and whether additional supporting measures or changes on street are required.
Will 20mph damage my vehicle?
No, modern vehicles are designed to operate safely and efficiently at 20mph. Driving smoothly in an appropriate gear will not damage your engine or gearbox.
Will this affect buses?
Bus routes will continue to operate as normal. Evidence from other areas suggests that overall bus journey times are generally influenced more by passenger boarding, junctions and traffic than by changes to speed limits.
Will this improve air quality?
The primary purpose of the proposal is to improve road safety.
Any wider environmental benefits, such as encouraging more walking and cycling, may also contribute to improved local air quality over time due to reduced particulate emissions from tyres and brake wear.
Is this a formal consultation?
Yes, this is a statutory consultation on a proposed Traffic Management Order (TMO). We’re inviting comments, objections and representations from residents, businesses and stakeholders before deciding whether to introduce the proposed speed limits.
All comments received before the closing date will be carefully considered before a decision is made.
When would the new speed limits come into effect?
If approved, we’d expect the new speed limits to be introduced later this year following completion of the statutory process and installation of the required signs and road markings.
