Birmingham City Council today approved plans for piloting 20mph limits across large parts of the city. This will mean 20mph limits on residential roads across large parts of parts of central, east and south Birmingham.
Streets in these areas are set to become 20mph over the next couple of years. After which point the Council will look at the results of the pilot scheme and look to roll it out across the rest of Birmingham. The Council is starting in areas which showed the greatest support, or where there is the greatest need in terms of road traffic accidents.
As a group who have campaigned for 20mph limits for many years, we feel this will make residential roads safer and more accessible for vulnerable road users, as well as cyclists and pedestrians. However we also feel the Council has to put effort into making the scheme work by winning hearts and minds, so that it can be rolled-out city wide in a couple of years.
Our Campaigns Support Worker Julien Pritchard said:
“We applaud Birmingham City Council Cabinet for approving the 20mph proposals and helping make our residential roads safer and more attractive for pedestrians, cyclists and vulnerable road users.
“20mph limits on residential roads are a key part of a people-centred transport system, which prioritises vulnerable road users, pedestrians and cyclists. They add a negligible 40 seconds to the average car journey, but bring many benefits for so many other road users.
“We hope that Birmingham City Council will now do their utmost to make this pilot work, so 20mph limits can be rolled out on residential roads across the city. This includes making a big effort to win hearts and minds, and really show the benefits of slower speeds for everyone.”
