BIRMINGHAM is set to become England’s first 20mph city under controversial plans to cut speed limits across almost all of its roads.
The city’s council, led by a coalition of Liberal Democrats, Greens and independents, has pushed for every route except major A-roads to cap speeds despite critics blasting the plans as “anti-motorist”.
Birmingham is set to become the UK’s first 20mph city Credit: Manuel Perez Galavis
The rollout of 20mph zones comes amid plans to lower speed limits (stock) Credit: georgeclerk
Town hall leaders insisted the move would ensure private vehicles “no longer dominate street life”, while actively encouraging residents to walk or cycle instead.
The controversial plan also promises to reallocate space on the tarmac to build a public transport network fitting for a global city.
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But critics have branded the initiative an “anti-motorist policy” that will hamper travel and snarl up transit across the West Midlands.
Richard Holden, the shadow transport secretary, said that left-wing councils had turned 20mph into the “national speed of bureaucracy”.
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Meanwhile, Reform UK’s Jex Parkin, the leader of Birmingham’s opposition, said of the latest proposal: “This is another anti-motorist policy from a council that seems determined to make getting around Birmingham harder.
“People already have enough congestion, restrictions and disruption to deal with without another blanket measure being imposed on them.”
The shift marks a stark turning point for a city once celebrated as Britain’s motoring capital due to its heritage of mass vehicle manufacturing and pioneering road engineering.
In its plan, which was put out for public consultation last week, Birmingham City Council said: “A limit of 20mph will be standard on all local roads.
“Residential neighbourhoods and local centres will be places where people are put first.
“Cars will no longer dominate street life around homes and schools.”
The authority has been discussing the measure for several years, after it declared a road safety emergency in July 2024, but plans would need to go through consultation before being adopted.
The move echoes a contentious nationwide scheme introduced in Wales by the Labour government in 2023.
That default 20mph limit sparked immediate backlash, forcing ministers to water down the rules a year later as local councils began restoring 30mph zones.
The debate comes as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham pushes for further regional devolution.
Greater local control could soon grant authorities across the country the powers to enforce similar measures on their own road networks.
England has had a 30mph speed limit in residential areas since 1935, but almost a third of roads now have a 20mph restriction.
The number of drivers caught breaking 20mph speed limits has increased dramatically, from 37,219 drivers in 2023 to 125,133 in 2025.
Bristol currently holds the highest proportion of reduced-speed routes in England, with 86 per cent of its roads set to 20mph.
However, unlike Birmingham, officials in Bristol have stopped short of adopting a total blanket approach.
A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: “Evidence from around the world on slower speed limits is very clear: it reduces collisions, saves lives and reduces injuries – so our message is simple: slower is safer.
“Slower speeds are less intimidating towards those who walk or cycle, activities that we need to encourage more of if we are to reduce the number of harmful emissions and traffic levels in the city.”
The spokesman added that the city’s 20mph rollout had so far been done on a “targeted basis in response to local road safety concerns or near to schools”.
