Borough go-slow on cards (From News Shopper)

Borough go-slow on cards

1:08pm Thursday 7th February 2008 in

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LEWISHAM borough could be the first in the capital to get 20mph speed limits across the whole area.

Lewisham Council's sustainable development committee, which scrutinises the council's work on environmental issues, wants to make Lewisham the first London borough to be completely 20mph.

Showers in workplaces for cycling employees, tax-free loans for workers to buy bikes, more cycle racks and more free cycle training for children and adults are also among the proposals raised.

Following a three-month investigation, the committee's 10 councillors unanimously said Lewisham Mayor Sir Steve Bullock should bid for newly available funding from the Greater London Authority to bring the measures into effect.

This funding comes from the Mayor of London to improve road safety.

Committee chairman and Lewisham Green Party councillor Sue Luxton said car ownership was lower than in some boroughs and there were a number of good schemes in place to promote walking and cycling.

But she added: "There is still much more we can do to make leaving your car at home the more attractive prospect and make the greener alternatives easier and more attractive.

"Making Lewisham known as the 20mph borough' would make the biggest, quickest difference to residents by cutting road accidents, making cycling and walking safer, cutting CO2 and even making traffic move more smoothly."

The committee's recommendations are expected to be considered by the Mayor at a cabinet meeting on February 13.

Lewisham Council deputy mayor Councillor Heidi Alexander, with responsibility for road and transport issues, said: "Lewisham council is 100 per cent committed to improving road safety and encouraging more people to walk and cycle more often, so we will be looking at the report's recommendations very carefully."

A spokesman for road safety charity Brake said: "This is a fantastic idea.

"Twenty miles per hour speed zones have been proven to save lives and reduce injuries.

"It will make the whole of Lewisham a better place to be in for cyclists and pedestrians, and have knock-on effects to things such as health and wellbeing as well as the obvious safety benefits."