A South London council planning to rollout 20mph speed limits is facing backlash from locals arguing the move will waste taxpayers' money.

Kingston residents said speeding drivers won't be put off by a 20mph speed limit if it is expanded across Kingston and south of the borough, including main roads. They raised concerns about drivers getting frustrated and the dangers posed by constantly checking speed, adding that a 30mph limit was enough.

One objector wrote during the consultation process that the move would clog roundabouts and junctions. They wrote: "This in turn causes more pollution rather than less. Cars moving at current speed limits would evacuate the area faster, thereby reducing pollution caused by jams. The majority of people drive within speed limits and accidents are generally caused by people who deliberately chose to break the speed limits. These people will continue to do so whether the speed limit is 20, 30, or 40.

"So all this changing of road signs and marking at great cost is just a waste of taxpayers' money and ineffective."

A Surbiton resident said the 20mph rollout in their area hadn't worked and called for more constructive plans. They said: "When I'm doing 20mph, I often find the car behind pushing me to speed up in frustration or just overtaking me." A third said the proposals "will not increase the safety but increase pollution and congestion".

But some residents supported the plans. Kingston Cycling Campaign said: "Overall, a 20mph will make Kingston's roads safer, and will encourage more people to walk and cycle their journeys. Evening out acceleration and reducing heavy braking by motor vehicles should also improve air pollution in the area. We hope in due course that the 20mph limit will be extended to the rest of the borough's roads."

In a fresh report, Kingston Council officers called for objections to be set aside so the scheme can proceed. They said the move would distribute traffic more evenly, reducing congestion and potentially pollution, and that main roads had been included as they're the site of many collisions. Officers said the objections were valid but not reasons to scrap the plans.

The report said: "It is considered that the proposals will make our roads safer, reduce the number of road casualties and severity of injuries caused by excessive speed, and make our roads easier to use and more attractive for our residents. It is anticipated that this will help reduce air pollution and encourage more people to travel by sustainable active travel modes." Kingston Council has been contacted for comment.