Statement: 20's plenty for Birmingham
20mph means calmer, safer and easier to cross residential streets where fewer crashes happen. Crashes that do happen are less severe.
This couldn’t be more important in a city where someone dies in a crash every fortnight on average while someone is seriously injured every single day.
The first 20mph zone was established in Birmingham in 1993 and has continued to be gradually rolled out in residential streets and local streets. 36 years laters, only 20% (518km) of Birmingham’s total highway is 20mph. This is fewer road kilometres than Cornwall and most major cities: Leeds - 2,030km, Bristol - 1,020km, Manchester - 939km and Newcastle - 794km (Speedmap/Insight Warehouse, June 2026).
We know that they’re popular with the public: 72% people support their introduction in towns and cities (Startline Motor Finance, August 2026). In the last couple of years alone, councillors from across the political spectrum have recently introduced 34 20mph schemes using their own ward funds.
We would prefer for a more evidence-based discussion around 20mph: research shows 20mph zones are seven times more effective than individual interventions, Wales saw a 26% reduction in casualties and London a 34% reduction in those killed or seriously injured. Helsinki has recently achieved Vision Zero which involved reducing speeds to the equivalent limit of 20mph.
We also know that in Birmingham, the average speed of our A-roads is 16.5mph. (Department for Transport, 2026) The difference in journey times because of 20mph on residential streets will be negligible, vastly outweighed by the benefits.
We’re pleased that this policy has continued since its cross-party backed motion by Lib Dems in 2012, then adopted formally in 2014, introduced to the Birmingham Local Plan in 2017, adopted in Birmingham’s Transport Plan in 2021 and 2022, adopted as part of the Safe System in Birmingham’s Road Harm Reduction Strategy in 2025.
Now it is part of the publication plan for Birmingham's new Local Plan: stating that 20mph is the starting point for when developers are designing new residential streets.
The Safe System is a system-based approach to reducing fatal and serious crashes through safer speeds, safer vehicles, safer road users, safer roads and post-crash care. Our authorities all have a part to play in delivering against all of these areas.
If we had an effective policy for gun or knife crime, we’d be adopting it and rolling it out as soon as possible.
Why shouldn’t Birmingham’s residents be afforded the same level of safety when trying to get from A to B? 20’s plenty.
