Proposed Traffic Regulation Order: Thatcham 20mph speed limit (Ref: TM442)

Background

One of the five priorities in the Council Strategy 2023-2027 is to 'build thriving communities with a strong local voice'. This priority commits to actions such as to work with local communities and partners to enhance our main towns and large villages and to enabling 20mph limits for residential streets where residents want it. The proposed order aims to contribute to this by reducing the speed of vehicular traffic to make the local area more attractive and accessible by non-motorised highway users. The public consultation aims to determine if a 20mph speed limit on residential streets is what the residents want.  If so, a Traffic Regulation Order must be made. 

 A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is a legal document that must be made by the Local Authority under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 in order to regulate or restrict the public highway in any way. A TRO can restrict the use of the public highway in many ways, either permanently, experimentally or temporarily. The most common ways are:

• closing the road
• speed restrictions
• weight/width/height restrictions
• prohibiting certain movements
• restricting parking in some way  

Part of the process of making or amending a TRO is to hold a public consultation for at least 21 days. We present what changes we propose to make and our reasons why and ask whether you support, object or are impartial to our suggestion.   

To find out more information on how speed limits are set on local roads, please visit our webpage.

What we are proposing

To reduce the speed limit on all roads in Thatcham to 20mph, except for the following, which will stay the same: 

We also propose to revoke the existing TROs making the estates around Derwent Road, Church Gate and Stoney Lane 20mph zones and include all of the roads from the revoked orders onto the new, consolidated order we would make. The result being that these estates would change from 20mph zones to 20mph limits. 

We propose to make this order under Sections 84(1) and (2) and of Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 ("the Act") and of all other enabling powers and after consultation with the Chief Officer of Police in accordance with Part III of Schedule 9 to the Act. 

You can view or download the draft TRO, statement of reasons, public notice, plans of the affected area and revoked orders through the links below:

• Draft Order [547KB]
• Statement of reasons [472KB]
• Public Notice [531KB]
• Revoked Order - Church Gate [147KB]
• Revoked Order - Derwent Road [317KB]
• Revoked Order - Stoney Lane [145KB]
• Plans of proposed changes [7MB]

Why we want your views

We'd like to know whether you'd like to express your support, record a neutral position or lodge an objection to the proposal to lower the speed limit to 20mph in Thatcham and the reasons for your response. 

How to take part

Copies of the draft Order, statement of reasons, revoked orders, public notice and maps are available for inspection during the hours of 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday at main reception on the ground floor of West Berkshire Council Offices, Market Street, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 5LD.

If you'd like to comment on the proposal, please complete our survey by 23:59hrs on Wednesday, 5 November 2025. It should take about five minutes.

Complete our survey​​​​​​​

You may also comment either by email to Trafficandroadsafety@westberks.gov.uk or in writing to the Traffic and Road Safety Team, West Berkshire Council, Market Street Offices, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5LD.

Please quote the reference number: TM442. All responses must reach us by 5pm on Wednesday, 5 November 2025 if they are to be considered.

Any personal information you choose to provide will be kept confidential and used in accordance with our privacy notice.

If you have any questions about this TRO, please contact the Transport and Road Traffic Team .

For general information about Traffic Management and Road Safety on our website here.

What happens next

All comments and objections we receive will be taken into account, and a report submitted in 2026 for consideration by Councillor Stuart Gourley, Executive Portfolio Holder for Environment and Highways, who will decide how to proceed.

If the decision is to approve the proposal, the change will be implemented as soon as our Highway Contractor is able to programme the works. 

After the consultation has closed, if the decision is made to introduce the new speed limits, all objectors who have provided valid contact details will be informed accordingly.

We aim to publish on this page a summary of the responses we received, and the decision taken, within three months of the consultation closing.