Government rejects bid for 20mph limits on Birmingham streets

Birmingham City Council tabled proposals which could see a 20mph default speed limit for streets near homes and shops in the city.

Transport chief Councillor Waseem Zaffar wrote to the Government seeking support but the bid has been rejected.

The council had already been reviewing limits but if it had won support for the plan, an estimated 90 per cent of city streets would be covered.

However, writing in response to Councillor Zaffar, the government said that they had no plans to introduce the zones, stating that such a change would need to be implemented ‘nationwide’ to be effective.

“I am afraid we have no plans to legislate for such a change,” said Baroness Vere of Norbiton, cabinet minister for roads, buses and places.

“It would have to apply nationally, to avoid the confusion engendered if the significance of street lighting differed in different parts of the country.

‘Deeply disappointed’

“To be effective, such a change would need enforcement and publicity and would put significant strain on our police forces at a difficult time, and it would not be desirable to introduce a default 20mph limit unless sufficient compliance with the limit could be achieved.”

Councillor Zaffar said he was ‘deeply disappointed’ in the decision, saying that he did not feel that the government had given enough consideration to the element of safety.

However, he remained defiant despite the rejection, adding that the city would continue to seek funds to make Birmingham a ‘default 20mph city’.

“I am passionate about making Birmingham a safer place, especially in residential areas where there are children, families and vulnerable people,” he said.

“The roll-out of 20mph speed limits has long been a key part of the council’s transport strategy but, as I highlighted in my letter to the Secretary of State, it is a time-consuming and expensive process."