Parish and Town Councils that support 20mph speed limits where people live, work and play show that they care about local community wishes and demonstrate that support to the Local Highway Authority. 20’s Plenty for Us supports local councils that want 20mph where people live, work and play. 

Demonstrating widespread local community support helps to persuade [your local Highway Authority] to set 20mph as a local speed limit more widely and cost-effectively. Local Authorities in England such as Cornwall, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire and Lancashire, have agreed 20mph for every settlement, as has Wales in 2023 and as will Scotland by the end of 2025. In those places, 30mph is the exception and limited to roads that are demonstrably safe for all road users, particularly pedestrians, children and the elderly.

22 million people already live on streets with a 20mph speed limit.

The template motion and briefing sheet are available below

1. Safer: The UK’s Department for Transport estimates that a 1mph lower average speed in built-up areas reduces casualties by 6%. 20mph in Wales led to 26% fewer casualties[1].
2. Cleaner and quieter: 20mph reduces tail-pipe emissions in urban environments by 25% compared with 30mph and is 50% quieter.
3. Healthier: Slower speeds help to build inclusive communities where people and their activities are prioritised.
4. Popular: National and local surveys show 70% support for 20mph in residential streets. Support grows once it's introduced.
5. Accepted: Already standard in many places in England, throughout Wales and (by end of 2025) in Scotland^[2], 20mph is global best practice where people mix with motor traffic.
6. Compliance: 20mph is as enforceable as any speed limit. Even without extra police enforcement, speeds can reduce by up to 6mph on faster roads.
7. Cost effective: 20mph brings economic, social, and environmental benefits at a low cost. Signs are enough to remind drivers without physical changes or extra enforcement.
8. Little impact on journey times for cars or buses: In built-up areas, 20mph limits don’t usually affect travel time or bus schedules; congestion and junctions have a bigger impact[3].
9. Reduced insurance cost for drivers. Drivers in Wales with a national default of 20mph are saving around £45 per annum on their insurance premia[4].

Wide area 20mph benefits whole communities. Allowing exceptions where faster speeds are safe for all road users avoids the need to prove lack of safety in order to adopt 20mph.

While introducing 20mph outside a school may seem logical, it does not materially reduce risk. Families need a safe route for the whole journey to school, not just the last 100 metres. Also, 80% of child casualties do not occur when travelling to or from school.

Signed schemes with public engagement are successful and cost-effective!

[1] https://www.20splenty.org/wales_1st_12_months

[2] https://www.20splenty.org/scotgov_says_20splenty

[3] https://www.20splenty.org/20mph_improves_traffic_flows

[4] https://www.20splenty.org/20mph_brings_lower_car_insurance_costs_for_drivers

1. Local Council resolution and briefing (PDF)
2. Local Council resolution and briefing (Word)