I was dismayed at Mike Farnell’s letter regarding proposals to introduce 20mph speed limits to residential roads in Croydon, headed 20mph limit could cost lives (Your say, April 15).

Far from being a retrograde step, this measure would be a first tentative step to a new and better transport policy where people were put before cars and the safety and health of our communities was put before the health of our engines.

It is a very well documented fact that death and serious injury are massively reduced at slower speeds in traffic accidents.

London’s transport network is under incredible strain in every way and solutions must be found if the whole thing is not going to grind to a halt.

Forcing cars to travel at safer speeds on our roads would result in less major accidents and is also likely to persuade more people to walk and cycle, which is probably the only way left to keep London moving.

It is time to take the blinkers off and realise that cars are not the be all and end all of transport.

There is not enough room in London for everyone to drive and the exasperation and stress Mr Farnell refers to is already experienced daily on our roads and will only be reduced when a lot more people find better ways of getting about.

LUCY FARNDON
Coulsdon