Speed Camera. Pic: David Bleasdale

Plans for a 20 mph speed limit on most of Croydon’s roads have been approved this week.

In a move to improve safety and curb car use, proposals to tighten restrictions on almost every residential road across the borough were approved by Croydon Council’s cabinet on Monday.

The 20mph limit will not apply to major A-roads, but the £1.5 million plan will see the borough divided into five regions, with each region implementing the new speed limit over a period of three years.

The council will consult residents from each region about the proposed restrictions. The first consultation, covering Upper Norwood, Norbury, South Norwood and Thornton Heath, will launch on May 13.

Waheed Alam, Traffic and Highways Engineer at Croydon Council, said: “We’re having feedback from councillors saying that people are really really keen for this to go ahead now.”

The Croydon Cycling Campaign however have argued that the plans do not go far enough.

Kristian Gregory, a spokesperson for Croydon Cycling Campaign, said: “At present the council is planning on 20mph limits on residential roads, but it is on more major roads where the vast majority of collisions occur where 20mph limits would be of most benefit.”

Alam said: “Phase one would be leaving out all of the A-roads and then we will monitor the scheme.

“It may be that after the trial they may want to trial something on the A-roads as well. But that’s something further down the line.”