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Why have speed limits?

Speed limits are an important part of achieving safe speeds on the road. National speed limits are set by the government. Traffic authorities are responsible for introducing local speed limits, where the national limits are not appropriate. On major roads and motorways the traffic authority is the Highways Agency. The local highway authority is the traffic authority on local roads.

You can get detailed information on speed limits and different road categories in the Highway Code. Your local council website will have information on the speed limits in your area.

• Highways Agency Opens new window

• The Highway Code (travel and transport section)

Getting a local speed limit changed

If you would like a speed limit to be lowered, raised or extended, you should contact your local council who will make an assessment. The council (acting as the traffic authority) will seek a police view on any proposed changes to a speed limit.

Before deciding to change an existing speed limit the traffic authority must consider all the relevant factors, including:

• accident and casualty savings
• improvement to the environment
• improvement in conditions and facilities for vulnerable road user
• reduction in 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 traffic authority decides that a change in the speed limit is required then a legal process begins and a statutory Speed Limit Order has to be made.

If the road in question has a system of street lighting, with no speed limit repeater signs, the limit is usually 30mph. The traffic authority is not allowed to place 30mph repeater signs on these roads. The system of street lighting in an area should be sufficient evidence of 30mph limit.

More information about traffic calming can be found in the Cross & Stitch section on travel and transport.

• Find out about speed limits Opens new window

• Traffic calming (travel and transport section)

Request a new pedestrian crossing in your area

Your local council is responsible for providing and maintaining pedestrian crossing facilities in places where it's likely people may need to cross roads. Pedestrian crossings are found at major road junctions, near shopping areas and outside schools.

You can enquire and make suggestions about pedestrian crossing facilities by contacting your local council, or the local council for the area you are concerned about.

The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local council’s website where you can find out more.

More useful links

• Travel and transport

Useful contacts

• Home and community contacts