Birmingham is to become England’s first 20mph city by lowering speed limits on the majority of its roads. In plans updated last week, the Liberal Democrat, Green Party and independent-led council said it wanted all routes except A-roads to become 20mph zones, reports The Telegraph.
The council said it wanted to ensure that cars “no longer dominate street life” by promoting walking and cycling as the best ways to travel. However, opponents have claimed the “anti-motorist policy” will make travelling around the city harder.
The move comes amid Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s push for devolution, which could give local authorities greater power to impose similar controversial policies on their areas.
Birmingham, once regarded as the motor capital of Britain because of its vast car production and trailblazing road designs, adopted a plan in 2021 to expand the rollout of 20mph zones. The new council coalition has gone further and committed to lowering speed limits across the city.
In its plan, which was put out for public consultation last week, Birmingham City Council said: “A limit of 20mph will be standard on all local roads.
“Residential neighbourhoods and local centres will be places where people are put first. Cars will no longer dominate street life around homes and schools.”
Last month, it was evealed that Treasury officials had devised p a plan to give mayors a share of income tax revenue.
Bristol has the highest proportion of 20mph roads, with 86 per cent of the network operating under the lower speed limit. The city council is looking at expanding its rollout, but has not adopted a blanket approach.
Across the border in Wales, 20mph on residential roads controversially became the default nationwide policy in 2023. It was watered down a year later and a number of councils have been reintroducing 30mph limits following a backlash.
Speaking to BBC Radio WM, West Midlands Road Safety Commissioner Mat MacDonald said the limit could prevent tragedies such as the death of six-year-old Bobby Colleran, who was struck by a van in West Derby, Liverpool, in 2014.
“We know that if that van had been travelling at 20 rather than 30mph, which was the speed limit of that road… on a balance of probabilities he would still be alive today,” he said.
When the council said it was exploring the possibility of the measure in 2024, it proved divisive both on social media and in the council chamber, with some arguing motorists were being unfairly punished.
MacDonald said he did not believe it would cause more congestion in the city.
He said the 20mph limit was “beyond doubt an evidence-based measure that saves lives”.
He referenced that the introduction of the same limit in Wales had been met with about 100 fewer people killed or seriously injured on relevant routes in its first year.
“Anyone who opposes these measures has to come up with a set of reasons, advantages, and benefits that eclipse the value of the human lives that will be saved by this,” he said.
(Picture: Birmingham City Council)
