A council has introduced a 10mph speed limit on a main road in a bid to improve safety and aesthetics – but some drivers have warned the limit is simply impossible to adhere to
A temporary 10mph speed limit in a bustling London borough has resulted in even cyclists exceeding it, leading one campaigner to label the scheme as the “peak of insanity” and an anti-driver crusade. Last month, Islington Council implemented the restriction on St John’s Street, a narrow thoroughfare near Smithfield Market that is currently congested due to roadworks.
The six-month order, signified by newly painted circular markings, applies to narrowed lanes as workers install a traffic filter, trees, planters and rain gardens to enhance safety and aesthetics. FairFuelUK founder Howard Cox commented: “The madness of 20mph is well documented: too much focus on the speedometer, increased emissions at persistent low gear, and no real proof of fewer accidents or injuries. And now there is 10mph, which beggars belief at the complete stupidity of the road transport planners. They may be temporary levels of control, but not only will this number be impossible to police-no vehicle, not even a bicycle, will stay below this idiotic new maximum speed target.
“I’m not sure that there are even cameras capable of measuring any infringement accurately enough, either. The anti-driver policies of left-wing authorities have now reached new heights of insanity.”
This criticism is echoed on the streets, where the lunchtime rush from office workers collides with slow-moving traffic. Harry, a 33 year old black cab driver from Greenwich, told the Telegraph: “Everywhere is 20 miles an hour already-it’s just a hindrance to my life.
“It’s not actually good for the engine, and drivers are spending more time worrying about the speed they’re doing when they should be focused on their surroundings. It’s dangerous.”, reports the Express.
Two violations over 25mph could mean six penalty points and suspension by Transport for London, he warned. Jason Fenton, a 64 year old lorry driver from Hertfordshire unloading furniture, spotted cyclists breaching the cap.
He said: “I’d say that cyclist was probably going more than 10mph. It’s a bit pointless-it’s too restrictive. You’re looking at your clock instead of the road, which is what you’re supposed to be doing.
“The council seems to want everyone to travel by foot or bicycle. But the reality is, offices here still need to receive lorries on a daily basis. Commerce has to carry on, yet councils try to restrict everything, which makes it very difficult.”
Dennis Puscas, a 34 year old white-van operator running a fit-out firm, said: “It’s a safety issue. Reducing the speed from 30mph to 20mph in central London has had a good impact, right? I believe they’ve got the same reason here-to make it safer for everyone.”
In total, Islington has 43 TfL-operated speed and red-light cameras-seven per square mile across its six-mile patch. Offenders risk £100 fines and three points; last year, 410,266 parking penalties generated over £20 million.
Private vehicle numbers have seen a 4.6% decrease since 2016, dropping to 35,665 in 2020, amidst reports of 1,896 potholes from April 2024 to March 2025 – equating to more than 12 per road mile, all of which have been repaired according to council claims.
Since 2020, seven low-traffic neighbourhoods have been implemented to block rat-runs, a move that has been met with mixed reviews due to the increased journey times for some.
A cycle route introduced in 2023, featuring ‘wavy kerbs’, was criticised by locals as a “complete waste of money” and compared to Legoland.
Councillor Rowena Champion, the executive member for environment, air quality and transport, maintained that these changes were the result of consultation.
Cllr Champion stated: “Local people told us about the importance of creating a greener, more accessible and pleasant environment for residents and local workers.
“These changes will do just that. The works at St John’s Street require temporary narrowing of the carriageway.
“During this time, to keep local people and road users safe, we’ve put in place a temporary 10mph speed restriction. We will continue to work with residents and businesses to ensure access is maintained and disruption kept to a minimum.”
In other news, Lewis Cocking, the Conservative MP for Broxbourne, brought up the issue of fuel duty in the Commons this week.
He posed a question to Exchequer Secretary Dan Tomlinson: “In a new poll, FairFuelUK has found that three out of four road users who voted Labour want fuel duty to be kept frozen or reduced. Will the Chancellor listen to the people who put her into Government and ensure that that regressive tax, which hits low-income families and economic growth the hardest, is not increased?”.
Mr Tomlinson responded: “The House will be aware that the 5p cut to fuel duty is set to expire in March 2026, and as with other tax policies, the Chancellor will make a final decision on fuel duty rates at the Budget in the context of the public finances.”
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