Re Sadiq Khan’s article (Dear Britain, it’s now clear: 20mph zones save lives and don’t slow traffic. Implement them, 12 August), many people are unaware of the outstanding success of 20mph limits and low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) in saving lives and preventing injuries and crashes, because the research and statistics are only being reported consistently by the BBC and the Guardian. People who rely on some of the other media outlets will have seen these policies characterised as unpopular, “hated” or a “war on drivers”. The failure to report impartially is a distortion of the truth that is misleading the public and politicians, and leading to pressure to revoke these life-saving measures.
Highway authorities have a statutory duty to promote road safety, a duty to have “due regard” to the needs of elderly and disabled people, and a common law duty of care to all road users not to be negligent. On top of this, councils have duties relating to public health, and policies relating to active lifestyles and the prevention of obesity, all of which are supported by creating safer streets.
Councillors are obliged to ensure their decisions are reasonable and based on relevant considerations. While councillors and officers are protected by statutory immunity, this protection does not extend to deliberate or reckless wrongdoing. The science and evidence are totally clear: revocation of 20mph limits or LTNs will lead to crashes, injuries and deaths. Councillors and their advisers who pursue such actions risk being held personally liable for the harm that ensues.
Robert Huxford
Director, Urban Design Group
• Sadiq Khan describes the safety benefits of 20mph limits in urban areas. Hopefully, the increased carbon emissions from the petrol and diesel cars being driven at inefficient speeds will be balanced out by the smoother overall traffic flow and the much greater efficiency of electric vehicles at low speeds. There are even greater benefits to be had from a lower national speed limit of 55mph as road transport decarbonises, but that does not have a champion since the idea was recommended and then inexplicably dropped by the Climate Change Committee.
Daniel Scharf
Abingdon, Oxfordshire
• I congratulate Sadiq Khan on the excellent progress he has made. I would ask, though, whether more speed cameras can be installed. There is a road from Putney to Wimbledon which is 20mph along its whole length, with just one speed camera. Once past this camera, cars speed up and overtake drivers who are maintaining the speed limit. Sadiq should ask councils to install more cameras with the carrot of letting them keep the ensuing fines.
Shirley Pritchard
Wimbledon, London
• As a reluctant pedestrian, following a stroke, I have to walk miles along urban roads, using a robust walking stick. It’s essential – not for balance but to vent my anger at threatening drivers who speed past and often instinctively veer towards the pavement away from oncoming traffic.
Andrew Morgan
Poole, Dorset
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
