Issue - meetings

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for the Environment). The report seeks approval to conduct a Borough wide consultation with residents and businesses on the introduction of a 20mph limit to cover the whole of the Borough.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Environment, which sought approval to conduct a borough wide consultation to gauge support amongst residents and businesses for Haringey to become a 20pmh borough.

Cllr Martin Newton outlined details of a deputation by WalkSafe N10 to the recent meeting of the Muswell Hill, Alexandra, Fortis Green and Highgate Area Committee, which had included requests for a 20mph limit on the streets around Coldfall, Coppetts Wood and Hollickwood primary schools and additional pedestrian crossing facilities on Colney Hatch Lane, and requested that Cabinet consider the points raised. Cllr Gail Engert, Chair of the Muswell Hill, Alexandra, Fortis Green and Highgate Area Committee, presented a report of the Committee, which had been circulated to the Cabinet, which requested that the issues raised by the deputation be considered by the Cabinet, and also suggested that the consultation period be extended, and that greater clarity be provided in the consultation around the roads that the proposals would apply to.

The Cabinet Member for Environment noted the resolutions within the report of the Muswell Hill, Alexandra, Fortis Green and Highgate Area Committee and the individual requests from WalkSafe N10, and advised that these would be taken into consideration as part of the consultation.

RESOLVED:

      i.        That approval be given to a borough wide consultation being conducted with residents and businesses on the possible introduction of a default borough wide 20mph limit.

    ii.        That Cabinet should receive a report on the outcome of the consultation at a future meeting.

Alternative Options Considered

The report was seeking approval to consult with residents and businesses for the possible introduction of a default borough wide 20mph limit. The feedback received would determine that options would be recommended to Cabinet.

Reasons for Decision

Implementing a borough-wide 20mph limit would help improve road safety and reduce accidents in the borough. Further potential benefits of 20mph speed limits include quality of life and community benefits and encouragement of healthier and more sustainable transport modes such as walking and cycling. There may also be environmental benefits, as generally driving more slowly at a steady pace may save fuel and carbon dioxide emissions.

A borough wide 20mph limit would cost on average the same amount as one neighbourhood 20mph zone and could reduce personal injury accidents by as much as 118 over the course of 3 years. In the current financial climate a continued 20mph zone programme will take approximately 15-20 years to be completed in the borough, and a combined approach may be more appropriate for Haringey.

The inclusion of all borough roads should be considered as it is likely to reduce a significantly higher number of traffic accidents (approx 118 over 3 years excluding TLRN and existing 20mph zones) and without costing significantly more than the estimate in this report. This is as a result of a reduction in the necessary terminal signage; however more marketing and consultation would be required. This option would also reduce street clutter and is also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 423