Councils spend nearly £42m setting 20mph limits
UK councils have spent more than £41.9m introducing new 20mph limits over the three years, with £16,7m spent in the last year alone.
This is according to data from a Freedom of Information request to local councils by Confused.com.
Wales set default 20mph speed limits on most urban roads in 2023. Scotland is introducing the limit council by council as part of a national policy, while in England the decision is up to local authorities and in Northern Ireland 20mph limits mainly apply to roads outside schools.
However, the data also found that 174 roads that were given a 20mph limit have subsequently returned to a higher limit.
Matt Crole-Rees, motoring expert at Confused.com car insurance, said: “Our latest research reveals how much 20mph has reshaped Britain’s roads, with councils spending over £41m rolling out lower limits in the past three years. But even as the limits spread, at least 174 roads have already been switched back to higher speeds, as more than half (53%) drivers think 20mph works near schools and homes but not on main roads.
“Behind every one of those speed limit changes is a road safety issue. Speed is one of the biggest factors in collisions, and the faster a vehicle is travelling, the less time a driver has to react and the more serious the consequences can be, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists near homes and schools.
“Whether it’s lower limits or speed cameras, the aim is still to slow drivers down where a crash would do the most harm.”
