Speed limit reduced to 30mph on 27 major roads in Birmingham
Birmingham drivers are being urged to slow down as 40mph speed limits are officially scrapped on almost all city routes.
Birmingham City Council has completed a major project to cut limits from 40mph to 30mph on 27 roads, as part of its drive to make streets safer and more welcoming for everyone.
The move forms a central part of the city’s Road Harm Reduction Strategy, which aims to reduce the number and severity of road traffic collisions and create a transport network that supports healthier lifestyles, cleaner air and more reliable journeys.
Evidence shows that even small reductions in speed can significantly lower the risk of a collision and reduce the severity of injuries when they occur. By introducing 30mph limits, the council is taking proactive steps to protect everyone using the road, whether they are walking, wheeling, driving, cycling or using public transport.
Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “This is a really important measure to make our roads safer. However, it is about so much more than that; we want to encourage sustainable travel and reduce the impact of traffic on our local communities.
“Lower speeds mean safer streets, cleaner air and a more resilient transport network for everyone.
“I’d like to thank residents and businesses for their cooperation and patience during the rollout, and the council will continue to monitor the impacts of these positive changes in the months ahead.”
West Midlands Police is supporting the initiative with education and enforcement activity to help motorists adjust to the new limits. Officers will be incorporating these checks into their operations to ensure the benefits of the scheme are fully realised.
Assistant Chief Constable Mike O’Hara, who oversees the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) at West Midlands Police, said: “We are completely focused on reducing the number of people who are killed and seriously injured on the roads of the West Midlands, and we know that speed is one of the main contributors to serious collisions.
“I’d urge drivers to play their part in reducing those tragic statistics, by not exceeding the speed limit so that we make the West Midlands a safer place for all road users.”
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