New Speed Limit Policy Simplifies Decisions

Wiltshire Council has adopted a new Speed Limit Policy that will provide a clearer, fairer and more consistent approach to setting speed limits across the county, helping to improve road safety and make it easier for communities to request changes where needed.

The policy replaces previous guidance and brings Wiltshire's approach in line with national best practice. It sets out clearly how speed limit decisions will be made, what evidence will be considered, and how local concerns can be raised and assessed.

A key change is the introduction of a simpler process for communities seeking 20mph speed limits in appropriate locations, such as residential areas, village centres, town centres and places with high levels of walking and cycling. In such areas, the presumption will be that 20mph restrictions will be allowed.

Requests for 20mph restrictions will now be assessed directly by the council's Traffic Engineering Team rather than through the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) process.

The council will fund the assessment work, any required data collection, and the Traffic Regulation Order process for eligible 20mph proposals. Town and parish councils will then fund the physical measures required on the ground, such as signs and road markings.

The policy also provides greater clarity about when a change to a speed limit is the right solution and when other measures, such as enforcement, traffic calming, improved crossings, warning signs or other engineering improvements, may be more effective in addressing safety concerns.

For speed limits of 30mph and above, decisions will continue to be based on detailed assessments that consider factors including collision history, traffic speeds, road function, local concerns, road layout and the mix of road users.

Rather than relying solely on speed surveys taken at a single location, assessments will consider speeds along entire routes to provide a more accurate picture of how roads are used.

The policy supports the council's wider road safety objectives, including its Vision Zero approach to reducing serious and fatal collisions through the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership (WSRSP). Speed management remains a key part of the council's road safety strategy, with national evidence showing that speed is a factor in many serious collisions.

Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “This new policy gives us a clear and consistent framework for making decisions about speed limits across Wiltshire.

“It helps to ensure decisions are based on evidence, national guidance and local circumstances, while making it easier for communities to understand how requests are considered.

“Importantly, the policy provides a more straightforward route for communities that want to introduce 20mph limits in suitable locations, while also recognising that speed limits are only one part of improving road safety.

“Creating safer roads and stronger communities is a key part of Our Wiltshire Plan. By helping people feel safer when walking, wheeling and cycling, while taking a proportionate and evidence-led approach to speed management, this policy will support healthier, better-connected communities across the county.

“By bringing together speed management, engineering solutions and partnership working with local communities and the police, we can continue working towards our goal of reducing serious and fatal collisions on Wiltshire's roads.”