I could not agree more with the letter about 20mph limits (Your Say April 2): every impartial, factual survey has shown that this speed limit not only saves lives but contributes to a more civilised environment.

It is really embarrassing to compare Sutton, allegedly the greener, cleaner borough, with others such as Richmond, with its 20mph limit on residential roads; why should Sutton be so determined to be the downmarket borough, when even Croydon has seen the sense in going for 20mph?

The facts speak for themselves: if a child is hit by a car travelling at 40mph, they will either die or be very seriously injured: if hit at 20mph, they will almost certainly survive.

Furthermore, there is no credible evidence that 20 mph limits either add to pollution or significantly increase journey times.

It is supposed to be Liberal Democrat policy to have 20mph zones around schools, yet in Cheam village, with two schools, all there is are wig-wag lights which do nothing except tell drivers that there is a school in the vicinity; most already know this, given that if the schools were not there the traffic would not be so heavy.

It is time for Sutton Council to take a whole area approach to traffic instead of the present policy, which is to spend huge sums on pet projects which benefit very few residents and in fact increase the traffic for others.

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