20mph limits coming to parts of South Circular Road, A2 and A20

Parts of the South Circular Road, A2 and A20 in southeast London will have 20mph speed limits put on them in the coming months – including at a notorious junction where locals have campaigned for safety improvements.

Transport for London, which controls the capital’s major roads, is imposing the limits on 65km of roads in the capital, including main routes through Greenwich, Lewisham and Southwark.

The northern part of Well Hall Road in Eltham and John Wilson Street in Woolwich will have the limit applied from next month, while Woolwich Common will have a 20mph restriction from December, along with the stretch of South Circular between Catford and Clapham Common. Signs and road markings have already appeared on some sections.

On the A20, Eltham Road, Lee High Road and Lewisham Way will have 20mph limits from November, and on the A2, New Cross Road and Old Kent Road will have the limits from December. Other parts of the A2 and A20 are not included.

TfL says that introducing 20mph limits on its roads in central London have cut collisions, and a new advertising campaign will be launched to remind drivers to keep their speed down. 

Streets affected will include the dangerous Well Hall Road junction at the foot of Shooters Hill, where two people have died in the past 17 years. Locals have long campaigned for lower speed limits.

But only the roads TfL control will be covered by the 20mph limit, with Shooters Hill and Shooters Hill Road – which fall under Greenwich Council’s remit – remaining at 30mph.

While 20mph speed limits are common in all inner London boroughs, the only exception is Greenwich, which has persisted with 30mph on most of its main roads. Neighbouring Lewisham has had a 20mph limit since 2016. Greenwich has said it will review its policy.

Lilli Matson, TfL’s chief safety, health and environment officer, said: “We are determined to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from London’s roads in line with our Vision Zero goal. Speed continues to be a factor in almost half of fatal collisions in London and the devastating consequences for the families, friends and communities impacted by these casualties is immense. 

“We’re committed to eliminating unsafe speeds across London and our new campaign aims to challenge drivers’ perception of what counts as speeding, as even driving slightly over the speed limit can still have tragic consequences. These new 20mph speed limits will also not only save lives, but make it easier and safer for people to walk, cycle and use public transport, creating a safer, greener London for everyone.”