Drivers across Manchester could soon face a 20mph speed limit on residential roads across the city.
Under new plans revealed today, main roads would also be brought down to 30mph. The proposals effectively confirm that Mancunian Way will permanently become a 30mph road, having been temporarily lowered in late 2022 after a safety review.
Speed limits will be cut on eight 40mph roads, including the A34 Kingsway and A663 Broadway. The Manchester Evening News understands city centre streets would be included alongside suburban residential roads in the 20mph proposals.
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Speaking at a town hall meeting today (Tuesday), Kevin Gillham, Manchester council’s head of citywide highways, said he was ‘aware of some of the backlash’ when a wholesale urban 20mph limit was implemented in Wales, which led to the decision to keep main roads at 30mph.
In September 2023, 30mph roads in built-up areas around Wales were automatically reduced to 20mph unless they had been specifically exempted by the local authority.
The Welsh Government said cutting the speed limit would protect lives and save the NHS in Wales £92 million a year. It predicted the change would save up to 100 lives and 20,000 casualties in the first decade.
However, the scheme, introduced by the Welsh Government, has proved controversial. It has sparked protests while a petition against the law has been signed by nearly 470,000 people.
There have also been reports of 20mph signs being defaced in areas across Wales.
A protest against 20mph speed limits makes its way through Cardiff city centre -Credit:Getty Images
When the law first came into force, authorities promised not to begin fining or enforcing the law immediately while drivers got used to the change. Enforcement began in December 2023 but only in mid and south Wales while enforcement in north Wales began in March 2024.
As part of the rollout of the hugely controversial law, a scheme called Operation Ugain was set up. The joint effort, funded by Welsh Government, involves Wales’ four police forces, three fire services, 22 councils, and GoSafe.
Teams go around Wales and use speed cameras to check the speeds of drivers. If someone is caught speeding they are invited to a nearby public building to watch a presentation rather than receive points or a fine.
New figures show that more than 85,000 were caught breaking the 20mph limit across Wales in 2024, Wales Online reports.
A report published by Transport for Wales back in October found that the 20mph default speed limit had increased journey times across Wales.
The plans sparked an angry backlash from some -Credit:Getty Images
Between September 2023 and April 2024, the study also found that:
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Vehicle speeds on 20mph main through roads had fallen by an average of 4.3mph;
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58pc of vehicles were being driven at or below 24mph compared to 20pc before;
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Average journey times had increased on most routes assessed but generally not by more than two minutes;
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The variability in journey time had reduced on most routes, indicating improved journey time reliability, and;
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Air-quality monitoring had not revealed any material difference in nitrogen dioxide concentrations in 20mph areas compared to non-20mph areas.
Following a huge public backlash, the Welsh Government has said it is reviewing the scheme and has admitted some speeds will return to 30mph. People have been asked to tell their local councils the roads they think should change back.