New research from GB News has found how many councils have slashed speed limits to just 20mph despite backlash from motorists who complain the changes impact the flow of traffic.
The rise of 20mph speed limits across the UK has become more common in recent years as local authorities and campaigners demand improvements to road safety.
The issue came to the forefront of attention in 2023 when Wales became the first country in the UK to have 20mph be the default speed limit on restricted roads.
This impacted roads in urban and rural areas with streetlights, with a particular focus around schools, hospitals and residential facilities, or anywhere where vehicles and more vulnerable road users interact.
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Hundreds of Traffic Road Orders have been introduced to change speed limits on roads across England
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Drivers attacked the 20mph mandate with a petition on the issue becoming the most signed petition in Senedd history, prompting protests and the resignation of senior Welsh Government officials.
Despite the intense backlash from motorists, local authorities across England continue to roll out the scheme, with new data from GB News showing the extent of the controversial road projects around the country.
As part of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request conducted by GB News, 36 councils outlined their plans for the future of 20mph roads across villages, towns and cities around England.
Between January 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024, Hertfordshire County Council was the most active by introducing a 20mph speed limit on 324 roads across the region, as well as eight partial speed limit changes.
The county council announced that it would be dedicating £7million up to 2024/25 to implement a programme of 20mph across the county. The council is planning on launching a consultation on new proposals affecting Borehamwood, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead, Baldock, West Cheshunt, South Ware and Bishop’s Stortford West in the near future.
The decision to mandate 20mph speed limits in Wales was met with harsh backlash from residents
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Kent County Council introduced the second highest amount of 20mph roads with 244 slower limits, many of which were situated in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet.
Devon County Council oversaw the introduction of 105 new 20mph speed limit changes between January 2023 and August 2024, as well as 24 partial changes to roads.
Despite this, as part of speed limit remapping projects, the council made changes to 15 roads with 20mph speed limits to return the limit to 30mph.
There have been growing calls from motorists for local authorities to reintroduce higher speed limits on roads which struggle to deal with roads which may not be best equipped to manage traffic from a 20mph speed limit.
Former Transport Minister Louise Haigh previously stated that councils should be able to decide which roads should have 20mph speed limits, rather than having a directive come from central Government.
Campaigners point out that 20mph speed limits help cut the number of accidents and boost road safety
GETTYRod King, founder and chair of 20's Plenty or Us, told GB News that local authorities and national governments should introduce 20mph speed limits anywhere within built-up areas where motors, and people walking and cycling mix.
Naturally, there would be exceptions for vehicles to travel faster than 20mph in areas where a 30mph limit would be safer due to "segregated provision and crossings".
He added: "A 20mph limit as a norm for built-up areas with exceptions determined by local authority would work well.
"England has nearly half of its LAs already doing it. Northern Ireland is a single Highway Authority so the Department for Infrastructure has the power to do this."
King noted that many urban and village roads across the country are adapting to lower speed limits, describing it as more of a "targeted 30" policy.
Only a handful of local authorities around England have not introduced new speed limits
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During the time period, a number of councils did not cut any speed limits, including Buckinghamshire, Derbyshire, East Sussex, Lincolnshire, Rutland and Worcestershire.
Durham County Council formalised one Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) that was sealed for a 20mph speed limit on Front Street, Framwellgate Moor, although this was the formalisation of a Covid-era temporary order which pre-dated the data parameters.
Data shows the average person is seven times more likely to die if they are struck by a vehicle travelling at 30mph than if they were struck at 20mph.
The Scottish Government has outlined plans to implement 20mph speed limits on roads "where it is appropriate to do so" by the end of 2025.
Guidance from Transport Scotland suggests examples of other measures that could be used alongside slower speed limits to help reduce risks to road users and pedestrians.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Scotland will mandate 20mph speed limits across the country this year
ABERDEEN CITY COUNCILhis includes narrowing lanes, installing refuge islands, kerb extensions and roundabouts, as well as repeater signs placed along a stretch of road to ensure motorists are aware of speed limit changes.
Essex County Council accounted for 68 new roads with a lower speed limit, through 18 different Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO), with many more to be introduced as more houses are built.
In Essex, all new residential developments containing a road system which measures more than 100 metres from the entrance of the development to the furthest point of the road system is a 20mph area.
These areas contain speed-restraint measures like speed bumps and rumble strips, and have signs and an entrance gateway when a driver enters the area.
A map of 20mph speed limit changes in Wales after September 17, 2023
GOV.WALES
Councils with the most 20mph speed limit changes between January 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024
Hertfordshire - 324 (8 partial)
Kent - 244
Surrey - 218
Devon - 105 (24 partial)
Essex - 68
