Birmingham is proposing to become England's first city to implement a 20 mph speed limit across hundreds of its roads, a move intended to curb the dominance of cars and encourage more walking and cycling. The city council's transport plan for 2031 emphasizes that "walking, cycling and active travel will become the first choice for most people making short journeys in their local neighbourhoods" and that "cars will no longer dominate street life around homes and schools."
Under the proposals, 20 mph would become the default speed limit on all residential streets and local centers, while maintaining 30 mph on strategic and distributor roads. The city council's stated goals for this transformation include increasing active travel, improving air quality, reconnecting communities, and stimulating economic growth in local centers.
"Ending the dominance of cars on streets in residential neighbourhoods, around schools and in local centres will increase active travel, improve air quality and reconnect communities," the plan states. "It will also provide important support for the wider regeneration of local centres stimulating economic growth and employment opportunities." The city council also aims to limit access for private cars in the city center, favoring a network of pedestrian streets and routes for cycling and public transport.
Criticism and Context
The proposals have faced criticism, with some calling them "anti-motorist." Reform UK councillor Jex Parkin, leader of the city council's opposition, argued that the council is "determined to make getting around Birmingham harder" and that people are "fed up with being made to feel that driving around their own city is a problem."
"This is an anti-motorist policy and Reform will oppose it. Keep 20mph where there is a genuine safety need – but scrap the idea that it should become the default across Birmingham," Parkin stated.
The Department for Transport has previously indicated that 20 mph restrictions "should only be used where they are appropriate and supported by evidence."
Data from the RAC shows a significant increase in drivers caught speeding in 20 mph zones nationwide, with the number tripling in two years. In 2023, 125,133 drivers were recorded exceeding 20 mph limits, a 235% increase from the previous year.
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council defended the policy, stating, "By introducing 20mph limits in residential neighbourhoods and local centres, we are able to put people – rather than cars – first." They cited evidence from around the world indicating that "slower speed limits... reduces collisions, saves lives, and reduces injuries," adding, "Slower is Safer."
The council also noted a previous policy adopted in 2014 to introduce 20 mph limits on most roads in Birmingham through "sign only" areas, which would have covered approximately 90% of the city's roads by length. However, due to the cost of area-based schemes, the rollout has since become more targeted, often in response to local road safety concerns or in proximity to schools.
