The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, Transport for London (TfL) and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) have published London’s first “Vision Zero” action plan that details how the capital intends to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from its transport network.

Each year more than 2,000 people are killed or seriously injured on London’s streets, taking a devastating toll on the people involved, their families and communities across the capital.

The action plan will see the introduction of a 20mph speed limit on all TfL roads within the Congestion Charging Zone (CCZ). It will also see the transformation of dangerous junctions, tough safety standards for the design of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and a comprehensive bus safety programme, which includes speed-limiting technology, and a new innovative training course for all drivers.

“Our bold and far-reaching plans being announced today are some of most ambitious in the world, and start from the basis that no death or serious injury on London’s roads should be treated as acceptable or inevitable,” said Khan. “At the heart of our plans is reducing the dangers of speeding vehicles across London, which is why we’re proposing a new general speed limit of 20mph on TfL roads within the CCZ – protecting cyclists, pedestrians and all road users in the busiest part of the capital.”

To fulfil this ambition, 8.9km of new roads within the CCZ will become 20mph by the end of the Mayoral term. TfL is also proposing the introduction of 20mph speed limits on its road network in many of London’s other town centres and high-risk locations across London by 2024, to reduce road danger in these locations.

TfL’s “Direct Vision Standard” for HGVs will be the first initiative of its kind in the world to categorise HGVs depending on the level of a driver’s direct vision from a cab. The scheme is due to be introduced in 2020 to improve vehicle safety and increase visibility of vulnerable road users.

HGVs will be given a rating between “zero-star” (lowest) and “five-star” (highest), with only those vehicles rated “three-star” and above, or which have comprehensive safety systems, able to operate in London from 2024.

A world-leading Bus Safety Standard is also being developed for the capital’s buses that will identify the latest safety technologies and features to significantly reduce casualties on the bus network. This could include improved vision for drivers and autonomous emergency braking, as well as redesigned buses both inside and outside.

“This new approach to reducing road danger sees us working in coalition with many partners across the city, including the Metropolitan Police, to enforce new 20mph limits, transform dangerous junctions and raise awareness of the risks on the roads and street network,” said Mike Brown, London’s Transport Commissioner. “Safety is at the core of this and we are committed to making sure everyone gets home safely every day. The bold actions outlined in the Vision Zero plan will set London on the path to eliminating death and serious injuries on our transport network by 2041.”