FAQs

Most journey delays in Enfield are caused by stopping at junctions and crossings, not by driving speed. The difference between 20mph and 30mph on urban roads is minimal because traffic is already slow-moving. Lower speeds can actually help traffic flow more smoothly at junctions, making streets safer and more predictable for everyone.

Further information can be found in this study Research into the impacts of 20mph speed limits and zones - Road Safety Knowledge Centre 

This is an initial proposal and not yet final. The roads were selected based on early assessments of their characteristics such as function, width, and layout. We’re sharing these proposals now to get feedback from the community, and the plans can be changed. If you think other roads should be included or excluded, we want to hear from you.

Not all roads are managed by Enfield Council and we will be unable to make changes to those.

Speed enforcement is led by the Metropolitan Police, and we are working closely with them to support safer speeds on Enfield’s streets.

Regardless of enforcement, eveidence has shown that average speed reduces after the implementation of a 20mph speed limits. The average speed reduction is 1.3mph across all vehicles*. Even a small reduction in average speed reduces casualties significantly. Every 1mph speed reduction in an urban area there is a 6% reduction in collisions. **

Enfield Council, TfL and the Metropolitan Police are also collaborating on awareness programmes that encourage drivers to slow down:

Community Roadwatch
This initiative gives local residents the opportunity to volunteer with police officers to monitor vehicle speeds using detection equipment. It’s a way for communities to highlight concerns and raise awareness of speeding in residential areas. To get involved or suggest a location, please email CommunityRoadwatch@met.police.uk with your details.

Junior Roadwatch
This scheme brings primary school children together with police officers to speak directly with drivers about the impact of speeding. It’s a powerful way to help drivers reflect on their behaviour and consider the safety of others.

Together, these programmes support safer streets by combining enforcement with education and community involvement.

*Towards changing the urban speed limit, Brake Road Safety Charity

** 20mph limits are 7 times more effective an isolated 20mph zones, 20s Plenty for us

We have collected traffic data from across the borough relating to use as a baseline. If the project goes ahead, we will collect further traffic data to understand impacts of the project and travel speeds. We'll compare these data sets to understand the effects of 20mph speed limits on our roads and identify roads that may need further measures to support the speed limit.

We are proposing to install signage and line marking on affected roads. We will continue to monitor their effectiveness to inform if other measures are required.

The initial proposal is subject to community feedback. If the decision is to proceed, we'll be looking at implementing speed changes in a phased approach over 3 to 4 years. We'll reach out to those in the area prior to this to formally seek views via a statutory consultation event.

We expect the collision rate to decrease if this proposal is implemented. Studies from TfL have shown significant improvements when compared to trends across borough roads:

• 40% reduction in people killed, compared to 7% fewer fatalities
• 34% reduction in people killed or seriously injured, compared to a 15% fall in people killed or seriously injured
• 75% reduction in children killed, compared to no change
• 35% reduction in collisions and 36% reduction in casualties, compared to 12% fewer collisions and casualties

Further information and evidence can be found on TfL's website: Safe speeds - Transport for London 

No, not as a part of this scheme. The speed camera network is managed and enforced by the Metropolitan Police. The cameras themselves are funded and maintained by Transport for London (TfL), who work in partnership with the police to target locations where speeding poses the greatest risk to public safety. Any decisions about installing new cameras are based on safety data and enforcement priorities set by TfL and the Metropolitan Police. 

It's not expected that congestion will increase as a result of lowering speeds. Journey times are primarily influenced by junction delays not vehicle speed. Analysis from around the UK suggests that lower speed limits have not increased congestion.

For more information, see Powerful new long-term TfL research shows 20mph speed limits save lives on London's roads - Transport for London