MPs to consider making 20mph the default speed limit in England
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Could England’s residential roads be slowed to 20mph? MPs are set to discuss the controversial proposal as part of a wider road safety review.
England could move a step closer to making 20mph the default speed limit on residential roads as the Transport Select Committee considers whether lower speed limits could help save lives.
The cross-party group of MPs will hear evidence from road safety experts next week as part of its inquiry into the government’s Road Safety Strategy, including whether England should follow Wales by making 20mph the default speed limit on restricted roads.
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Among those giving evidence are Transport for London’s chief safety, health and environment officer and the former chair of the Welsh government’s 20mph task force.
Wales introduced a default 20mph limit on restricted roads in 2023, replacing the previous 30mph limit on around 35% of its road network. The move sparked fierce debate, with almost 500,000 people signing a petition calling for it to be reversed.
Opponents, including the Welsh Conservatives, argued the policy was costly and would damage the economy. Supporters, however, said lower speed limits could reduce deaths and serious injuries on the roads.
The latest figures from the Welsh government suggest the change may be having an impact. Serious and fatal crashes in Wales fell by 19% in 2024, while casualties on 20mph and 30mph roads dropped by more than a quarter.
The Transport Select Committee will consider whether measures such as lower speed limits are enough to help the government meet its target of reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on UK roads by 65% by 2035.
A spokesperson at the Transport Select Committee told Carwow: “The committee will focus on speed as it continues its inquiry into the government’s Road Safety Strategy. Wednesday’s evidence session will see witnesses discuss whether the strategy’s commitments on speed are sufficient to support its casualty reduction targets.
“Members will explore evidence around 20mph limits, including lessons from Wales and London, and witnesses could be pressed on whether England should follow Wales and move towards 20mph as the national default speed limit on roads.”
England doesn’t currently have a national default 20mph limit, but many councils have already introduced 20mph zones in towns and cities. In London, more than half of its roads are already covered by the lower limit.
Research by the European Transport Safety Council found that expanding 20mph zones across London was linked to sharp falls in collisions, injuries and deaths, including a 75% reduction in children being killed on the roads.
The committee is not expected to recommend an immediate law change, but its findings could help shape future decisions on whether England should introduce lower default speed limits.
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