A Wimbledon mum has set up a petition to get 20mph speed limits on roads across Merton.

Samantha Stimpson et up the petition 'Safer Roads in Wimbledon and Merton- 20mph Campaign’ after she said she regularly saw cars, lorries and vans speed past pedestrians and young children.

Samantha said: “I set up the campaign as myself and local friends and neighbours regularly experience vehicles speeding past pedestrians and young children, too fast and too close on roads in the borough.

“We felt the time had come to actually try to do something about it, rather than wait for a serious or fatal accident.

“It’s not even always clear what the speed limits are on some roads and some vehicles don’t seem to hesitate to put their foot down on an open stretch of road or through a green light, even if there are children walking or playing just yards away.”

On the petition Samantha said: “It’s about creating a 20mph zone in urban area where lots of road users meet, so it’s healthier and safer for all to co-exist and children can walk to school more safely.”

Samantha, who has a young child and is also a motorist, said she has witnessed lorries speeding near her.

She said: “When walking I have had big lorries carelessly speeding down roads with narrow pavements right next to my 18 month old in his buggy, it can be terrifying.”

Samantha feels that with neighbouring boroughs have gone to 20mph, it is only right Merton should do the same.

She said: “We’d like to the council to implement 20mph on all residential roads, roads by schools and nurseries and those with significant numbers of pedestrians, cyclists and cars all co-existing in Wimbledon and Merton making it safer for all.

“Many of our neighbouring boroughs have gone to 20mph and it feels like the time could be right for Merton to follow suit.

“20mph where there are lots of children, pedestrians and cyclists sharing the space has to be the way forward for safer streets that we all feel safe to use.”

Working closely with the organisation 20’s Plenty, Samantha has been overwhelmed with those who have signed her petition with over 200 supporters in a week.

She said: “We’ve only just started the campaign, but already the overwhelming feedback received has been positive with people generally in agreement I’s the safest way for all road users to co-exist and children can walk to school more safely."

Merton Council, cabinet member of regeneration, environment and housing, Councillor Martin Whelton said: “The council takes the safety of all road users very seriously.

“As a council, we support various initiatives such as 20mph speed limits and zones and have implemented them throughout the borough with a rolling programme of introducing localised 20mph speed limits along with associated physical improvements, such as speed tables, outside all its schools.

“The Council will continue to safeguard the safety of all road users and once we receive the petition, we will look into the concerns raised and will respond directly to the petitioner.”

Follow Samantha’s petition here: https://www.change.org/p/merton-council-safer-roads-in-wimbledon-merton-20mph-campaign