FAQs
Why are we doing this?
Studies show that even small reductions in speed can drastically decrease the risk of severe injuries and fatalities in crashes.
This scheme aims to improve safety for all road users along the A21 Hastings Road and A232 Croydon Road and is in response to concerns raised by residents following a number of collisions between January 2020 - October 2024.
Do slower speeds cause congestion and pollution?
Imperial College London's research into the impact of 20mph speed limits suggests they have no net negative impact on exhaust emissions. Results indicated clear benefits to driving style and associated particulate emissions.
The research found that vehicles moved more smoothly, with fewer accelerations and decelerations, than in 30mph zones, reducing particulate emissions from tyre and brake wear. We have undertaken an Environmental Evaluation and are satisfied that the lowering of speeds will not have an adverse impact on the environment or air quality.
The Environmental Evaluation recommendation was that no air quality modelling was therefore required.
Could you please explain the difference between pedestrian islands and pedestrian refuges?
A "pedestrian island" and a "pedestrian refuge" are essentially the same thing, referring to a raised area in the middle of a road where pedestrians can safely stop while crossing a multi-lane road, allowing them to cross one direction of traffic at a time; the terms are often used interchangeably.
