It’s slow progress towards compelling motorists to drive more responsibly, but at Surrey County Council, in its last throes before a controversial reorganisation, some 20mph zones have been introduced, with more to come and consultations on other proposals planned for 2026.
According to the Tory-controlled council, the roll-out of 20mph zones could take 10 years – despite strong evidence from around the rest of the country of the immediate reduction in traffic collision casualties and insurance claims when motorists have to drive more slowly.
In 2023, the last full year for which figures are available, there were 31 people killed on Surrey’s roads, an increase of more than 15% on the previous annual death toll.
Between 2021 and 2023, there were 93 people killed or seriously injured on Surrey roads.
The gradual implementation of 20mph zones near the county’s schools and in residential areas was adopted in 2024 by Surrey in its Vision Zero strategy – a version of a policy that has been rolled out across London over the last decade. The strategy sets out to halve the number of “serious road traffic accidents” (note the inclusion of the word “serious” in the council report, suggesting that some collisions are less important) by 2035.
Of the 19 areas included in Surrey’s “Tranche 1” of 20mph zones, five of which are in Guildford, the proposals include Banstead High Street and its side roads (some of which are already 20mph), but where the council reports “a high number of pedestrian casualties”, as well as Dovers Green (an area bounded by the A217 and Woodhatch Road, including the local school).
Schemes proposed for “Tranche 2” include Ewell Village, the village centre in Nutfield and the roads around Nonsuch and Meadow schools in Stoneleigh. These schemes are expected to be subject to public consultations in 2026.
Other 20mph zone schemes are expected to come forward as part of development plans in and around Leatherhead.
The full listing of Surrey’s 20mph proposals can be found by clicking here.
Whether drivers on Surrey roads are any better at observing the speed limits than they are in Croydon remains to be seen: lack of enforcement, from the police or use of speed cameras, sees 20mph speed limits in Croydon rarely met.
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It’s irresponsible to drive as slowly as 20. It’s dangerous, particularly when cameras are about because you’re staring at your speed gauge trying to avoid a fine. Out of principle I’ll go at 30 in a 20 because it’s just a more sensible speed of getting from A to B and perfectly safe for me to do so. If someone can’t drive safely at 30 then they shouldn’t be on the road, that’s the issue, not the speed.
Do you stare at your speedometer to try to avoid a fine at 30, 40, 70mph? A mile at 30 mph takes two minutes. At 20mph it takes three minutes. Why is that minute so crucial? And many 30 mph streets have speed humps and other impediamentia which will soon swallow up your minute.
In any case, most recent cars come with cruise control. Just set it to 20mph.
Did the police dig up your garden a few years ago?
The same mentality as those who claim that alcohol improves their driving!
Next year robot taxis will be on the road. What will happen then? Will 20 be plenty for them? If they jump a light or knock someone down who will the points go to? The large language model?