Diesel emissions dominate urban road pollution with about ten times the toxicity of petrol fumes. As 20mph limits reduce the most toxic diesel fumes, setting a wide 20mph limit is equivalent to removing nearly half of all petrol cars. This massive air quality and public health gain must be implemented urgently and nationally to reduce the 30,000 annual UK deaths from air pollution.

Here we "bust" all the 20mph myths that opponents so often use as an argument against implementing an appropriate limit for residential, urban and village streets

It’s a popular misconception that fuel efficiency peaks at 50-60mph. Yet What Car magazine found that for many cars 20mph was the most efficient speed .  In urban conditions 20mph beats 30mph for saving fuel. 20mph limits mean less acceleration and braking. Walking and cycling increase. 20’s Plenty is green

Many people assume that at lower speeds extra fuel is used and more pollution created. In fact the reverse is true. That’s why "Total 20"[1], without traffic calming, is supported by so many environmental organisations.