Speed limits on local roads

Which roads are West Berkshire Council responsible for?

As the Local Traffic Authority, West Berkshire Council is responsible for determining speed limits for the local road network. National Highways is responsible for the M4 and the A34.

What are the national speed limits?

The national speed limits are set by the government's Department for Transport, they are:

30 mph on roads with street lighting (sometimes referred to as restricted roads)
60 mph on single carriageway roads
70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways

It may not always be appropriate to travel at the national speed limit. Drivers should always travel at a speed suitable for the conditions and never in excess of the national speed limit. All speed limits should be been as a maximum, not a target.

For more information, please read the government guidance on national speed limits here.

What are the usual speeds on local roads?

The Department for Transport advises the following speed limits are usually appropriate in the following circumstances:

Urban areas

20 - town centres, residential areas, around schools
30 - standard limit in built-up areas with development on both sides of the road
40 - higher quality suburban roads or those on the outskirts. Few vulnerable road users. Good width and layout, buildings set back from the road, adequate footways and crossing places
50 - dual carriageway ring or radial routes, bypasses which have become partially built up. Little or no roadside development

Rural areas

30 - standard limit in villages
40 - roads with many bends, junctions and accesses, substantial development, a strong environmental or landscape reason, or considerable numbers of vulnerable road users
50 - lower quality A and B roads with a relatively high number of bends, junctions or accesses, and lower quality unclassified roads

For more information, please read the government guidance on setting local speed limits here.

Why would a speed limit be changed?

National speed limits might not be appropriate for all roads, and West Berkshire Council can change speed limits on local roads where local needs and conditions suggest a different speed limit would be more appropriate.

Local speed limits should not be set in isolation, or to address an isolated hazard. They should be used as part of a package with other measures to manage vehicle speeds and improve road safety, e.g. education or changes to the road layout.

The government asks all Local Traffic Authorities to keep their speed limits under review with changing circumstances, and to consider the introduction of more 20 mph limits and zones over time, in urban areas and built-up village streets that are primarily residential, to ensure greater safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Some reasons for reducing the speed of traffic are:

to address a pattern of accidents on a particular stretch of road
to consider the increase in housing/buildings along the road
to bring a road in-line with others nearby
to help reduce the domination of the motor traffic over other road users
to increase environmental benefits, e.g. improvement in air quality

What is the process of a speed limit review of local roads in West Berkshire?

After receiving a request to review a speed limit, we consider all the relevant factors using government guidance and best practice, including:

collision and casualty savings
improvement to the environment
improvement in conditions and facilities for vulnerable road users
reducing public anxiety
increased journey times for motorised traffic
costs of implementation
costs of engineering measures and their maintenance
negative environmental impact of engineering measures
costs of enforcement

If the criteria are met, and a request for a permanent change is approved by our Speed Limit Task Group, we begin the statutory legal process of a Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) process.

Who decides?

Changes to speed limits, or the introduction of new limits, are considered initially by Speed Limit Task Group, which is made up of West Berkshire Council officers, district councillors, and the Police.

It is important that we work closely with the police forces from an early stage when considering or determining any changes to speed limits. Where roads cross council boundaries, we also work closely with neighbouring councils to ensure speed limits remain consistent. As part of the process of making a speed-limit order, stakeholder consultation is important, together with good information about planned changes, to improve support for and compliance with new limits.

Where a request meets the requirements, the task group makes a recommendation, and a public consultation follows. If the consultation results in objections it will be decided upon by Individual Executive Member Decision, if there are no objections the proposed scheme will be implemented.

How long does it take?

On average, completing the legal obligations for the introduction of a new speed limit takes 12 to 18 months.

Is a new speed limit monitored and reviewed after it has been deployed?

Before and after surveys are carried out as part of the monitoring programme, and the changes are assessed after a year.

What happens if people don't slow down?

If it is evident the change to the speed limit has not altered driver behaviour the council will discuss additional options with the appropriate partner organisations, e.g. parish and town councils, and the Police.