Proposed speed limit reduction to 30mph: Birmingham area-wide scheme

During October and November 2023, we asked for your views on the proposals to reduce the speed limit on Birmingham’s roads that have an existing speed limit of 40 miles per hour (mph) to a new lowered speed limit of 30 mph.
There were 25 roads across Birmingham that were proposed to have a reduced speed limit. 
 

During the consultation a total of 1,674 responses were received:

Support 30 mph speed limit - 635 (37.93%)

Neutral (support & oppose) - 90 (5.38%)

Oppose 30 mph speed limit - 949 (56.69%)

Of the 1,674 responses to the consultation, 1,323 provided further comments. These comments were reviewed and categorised into the main concerns/interested area(s) of their response. Details of these can be found in the full document attached at the bottom of this page.

The results of the consultation were shared with the Cabinet Member for Transport together with a technical review assessment on all of the listed roads. Although noting that over 55% of the responses did not support the scheme, a significant percentage of those (approximately 25%) were not necessarily against the scheme proposals but were concerned with there being inadequate levels of enforcement, and as a result, the scheme would not deliver its objectives.

Following this review, the Cabinet Member for Transport has decided to proceed with the scheme proposals for all roads, taking this forward to formal consultation.
 

The scheme is aligned to the core principles of the Birmingham Transport Plan -reducing the speed, volume and dominance of vehicular traffic.

A new Birmingham Road Harm Reduction Strategy is in development that aligns to these principles and will set out the Council’s commitment to a Vision Zero approach to road safety. This aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, whilst increasing safe, healthy and equitable mobility for all.

Following feedback from the consultation, some of the extents of existing 40 mph have been reviewed and will be amended accordingly. 

One road (Walmley Ash Lane / Cottage Lane, Sutton Coldfield) was removed as it did not meet the scheme’s criteria as its existing speed limit was not 40 mph.

Next Steps

The overall scheme requires approval through the Council’s governance process and a Full Business Case (FBC) report is being prepared to gain formal scheme approval.

There will be a formal consultation advertising the Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) currently planned for Spring 2024. This consultation is required to legally introduce the new speed limits.

We will advertise the scheme through local public notices and information boards to advise people of the proposed changes and where they can submit their comments.

We will also run a public awareness campaign when the speed limit changes are being made.

Further information
If you would like any further information, email the Transport Planning Team at connected@birmingham.gov.uk.