However, the police don't have the resources to enforce them.
From Lewisham's FAQ
How does the council enforce the speed limit in 20mph zones?
Under current legislation the Council has no powers to enforce against moving traffic offences. Enforcement against offences such as speeding and contravention of banned turns is a matter for the Police.
The Police have however stated that they could not make any commitment to carry out routine enforcement of 20mph zones. This is because there is in law no fixed penalty (as there is for other speed limits) that can be issued to drivers breaking the speed limit in a 20mph zone.
The Police would be forced to arrest, charge and prosecute offenders, and this would take up a disproportionate amount of Police time and resources.
Under Government guidance when a 20mph zone is introduced it must be supported by physical measures (humps etc). The recommendations make it clear that the aim should be to ensure that vehicle speeds are maintained at or below 20mph by the use of physical measures.
In an urban environment however, allowances often have to be made for access by emergency service vehicles and buses. It is not always possible to ?engineer out? all irresponsible driver behaviour.
However, whilst the measures in certain locations may not reduce vehicle speeds to 20mph or below, the initial evidence indicates that 20mph zones have a beneficial effect in reducing speeds generally. There is also a general environmental improvement and a significant safety benefit in the areas treated.
While I can see the benefits of cautious driving down residential streets, is this the best way to spend ?100,000 (plus extra for reviews including an additional ?50,000 this year reviewing the Perry Vale implementation)? There seems to be little justification for a new zone in Forest Hill
Council officers are coming under scrutiny to justify decisions to install speed humps in roads where the number of accident reductions is likely to be small. The current numbers of recorded accidents in the remaining untreated areas, are such that they are unlikely to receive funding approval through the Transport for London 20mph zone programme.
These zones are meant to be self enforcing, which means that speed reduction will achieved by a combination of 'vertical and horizontal vehicle deflection'. From other research I have done recently, average speed reductions which can be achieved are:
Chicane: 12 MPH
Speed Humps / Cushions: 10 MPH
Carriageway narrowing: 7 MPH
Speed Camera: 5 MPH
Flashing sign: 4 MPH
Rumble Strips: 0.2 MPH
I am personally strongly against speed humps/cushions; I live in a Victorian building which shakes enough when lorries go over a bump in the road; I don't want any extra vibrations from speed humps. Speed humps are unpopular with the emergency services, particularly ambulance crews, because they can create delays and, in some circumstances, cause discomfort for passengers. Humps can also increase vehicle exhaust emissions and engine noise. The speed humps down Dartmouth Rd seem to be totally ineffective and any design is compromised by the need for emergency access; the sensible majority are inconvenienced by the inconsiderate minority.
Other 20 MPH zones have gone ahead in Lewisham with consultation response rates as low as 6%; the Telegraph Hill zone went ahead on the views of 60 people. Don't complain after the fact .
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