20mph Zones Get Green Light

16 June 1999

New legislation comes into force today allowing local authorities to create 20 mph zones or speed limits in their own areas, without needing Government approval, Transport Minister, Lord Whitty, announced.

Until now local authorities could only create 20 mph speed limits or zones if they first obtained the consent of the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The move is expected to contribute to a reduction in the number of road accident casualties.

Welcoming the new legislation as a positive step in striving for safer roads, Lord Whitty said:  "The creation of sensible, self enforcing 20 mph speed limits and 20 mph zones has been highly successful in lowering traffic speeds and reducing the number of road accident casualties. This latest move to free up the bureaucracy surrounding 20 mph limits will mean safer streets for us and our children.

"To complement the experience local authorities have already built up on how to make 20 mph limits effective we will shortly be publishing details of what works best around the country. In practice that means councils will be in the best possible position to benefit from the new system."