Public safety is at risk due to Haringey Council’s refusal to adopt 20mph speed limits in residential roads, claims a politician.

Stroud Green Road, which is on the border between Haringey and Islington, should be downgraded from a 30mph zone to 20mph according to Councillor Richard Wilson.

In Islington, a 20mph speed limit is enforced in all residential roads, but Haringey Council has used powers to refuse Islington Council’s proposal to lower the limit in Stroud Green Road as it is partly in the borough of Haringey.


Cllr Wilson, who represents Stroud Green, said: “People are very concerned about speeding. People don’t feel safe crossing the road, and don’t feel 30mph is an appropriate speed for a residential area. At 20mph, people are less likely to get injured or killed.”

He believes the council is hesitant to bring in the road changes because of the “enormous" cost.

Clive Carter, who lives in Stapleton Hall Road at the top of Stroud Green Road, said: “I would like to see lower limits in built up areas. However, I really don’t like speed bumps, I would rather see road narrowing or some other method for road calming.”

Cllr Canver, cabinet member for environment, said the council does not see the benefit of reducing the limit in Stroud Green Road.

She said: “We have not ruled out the proposal entirely, but in line with our current policy, we do not support the introduction of 20mph speed limits along main or residential roads without there being sufficient traffic calming measures in place to ensure drivers adhere to the speed limit.

“The police have said that they will not enforce this speed limit and there are no other traffic calming measures along Stroud Green Road to help reduce driver speeds.

“As the number of accidents are relatively low along this road we do not currently see the benefit of this proposal.”

Islington Council was the first council in the country to introduce 20mph limits on all its 150 miles of residential roads. The changes were waived through in November last year and are largely enforced by road signs.