UK-wide 20mph speed limit rejected as ‘ridiculous’ – YOU VOTED

Wales will become one of the first countries in the world to make 20mph default on all residential roads and built-up areas, on September 17. It is hoped the changes will reduce road accidents and encourage more people to use sustainable modes of transport, and protect vulnerable people.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell has campaigned for lower speed limits in Scotland since 2019, with his proposed bill being voted down by Holyrood. He argues that the nation is at a “tipping point”. A reduced speed limit of 20mph on “appropriate” roads could be introduced in Scotland in 2025.

The MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife told inews.co.uk earlier this month that he believed most residential streets would be 20mph in a few years. He explained: “I think we are at a nationwide tipping point, and I think in a few years’ time, the whole UK will inevitably be 20mph as default.”

He continued: “There will be exceptions that will be needed on urban roads that are more arterial in nature, for key bus routes into towns and cities, but 30mph will no longer be the default speed limit where people live, work and play. It has been the default for generations, and now it’s now.”

READ MORE: Speed limits may be slashed as ‘the whole UK will inevitably be 20mph’

In a poll that ran from 11:30am on Tuesday, January 10, to 3pm on Thursday, January 19, Express.co.uk asked readers: “Should 20mph be the default speed on UK roads?”

Overall, 1,899 people responded, with the overwhelming majority, 91 per cent (1,726 people), answering “no” 20mph should not be the default speed.

Whereas nine per cent (166 people) said “yes” it should, while a further seven people said they did not know either way.

Dozens of comments were left below the accompanying article as readers shared their thoughts on reducing the speed limit.

However, some readers thought more positively about 20mph speed limits. Username pete21 said: “20mph is the sensible speed for urban roads, there are too many vehicles on every street/road/lane/pavement.”

Many councils across the UK have enforced 20mph speed limits on streets in high-risk areas such s around schools, with some 26 million people in the UK now living within 20mph zones, according to campaign group 20’s Plenty for Us. 

Jeremy Leach, London Campaign Coordinator for 20’s Plenty for Us said: “Vehicle speeds have a huge impact on how safe it is to walk and cycle and, just as importantly, how safe walking and cycling feel. 

“Having a consistent 20mph limit on almost all of the TfL roads across these five boroughs will help enormously in bringing vehicle speeds down on these roads and making them safer and more attractive for everyone who uses them.”