Politics · United Kingdom · 10 hrs ago
UK councils spent more than £41.9m introducing 20mph limits
UK councils spent more than £41.9 million introducing 20mph speed limits over the past three years.
Hertfordshire spent the most, at £4.64 million, followed by Oxfordshire and Cornwall.
At least 174 roads have returned to higher limits, with most of those reversals in Wales.
Wales made 20mph the default on residential and built-up roads, while Scotland is introducing the limits gradually and England has no national policy.
The changes have prompted debate over where slower limits should apply, and some councils have reversed them; in Wales, the Welsh Government covers those reversal costs.
Speeding notices rose by 14% across the UK over the period, and speeding can bring a fine, licence points and higher insurance costs.
Councils decide where limits apply in England, while Welsh authorities continue to adjust limits under the rules allowing reversals.
UK councils spent more than £41.9 million introducing 20mph limits over the past three years, according to data obtained by Confused.com.
Hertfordshire spent the most, at about £4.64 million, followed by Oxfordshire and Cornwall.
At least 174 roads have since returned to higher speed limits, with 92% of the reversals in Wales.
Flintshire spent £1.796 million introducing 20mph limits and has reversed six roads, while Wrexham has reversed 52.
Confused.com also found that police issued 7.5 million speeding notices between the 2023/24 and 2025/26 financial years, a 14% rise over the period.
- Who
- UK councils introduced the limits; Confused.com compiled the spending data.
- What
- Councils spent more than £41.9 million introducing 20mph limits over three years. At least 174 roads have since returned to higher limits.
- When
- Over the three years covered by the data, which the articles describe as 2023 to 2026.
- Where
- Across the UK, including England, Wales and Scotland.
- Why
- Councils introduced the limits to reduce speeds and improve road safety; Hertfordshire said they were introduced in response to residents’ requests.
Hertfordshire County Council
Drivers who oppose broad 20mph limits
Purpose
Hertfordshire County Council
The council said limits were introduced where residents wanted them, including residential streets, near schools and in town centres.
Drivers who oppose broad 20mph limits
Confused.com reported that 43% of surveyed drivers in Wales thought the policy had gone too far.
Support
Hertfordshire County Council
Hertfordshire said the limits had local consultation backing and were a worthwhile investment in safer streets.
Drivers who oppose broad 20mph limits
Confused.com said 57% of surveyed drivers in Wales thought 20mph made sense near schools and homes, but not on main roads.
Wales’ 20mph policy and the backlash against it date back to 2023, according to Nation.Cymru.
Scotland introduced a national strategy for gradually rolling out 20mph roads.
The Welsh Government allowed authorities to reverse 20mph limits.
Police forces issued 7.5 million Notices of Intended Prosecution for speeding, a 14% rise over the period.
- Total council spending
- More than £41.9 million over three years
- Highest-spending council
- Hertfordshire — £4,644,924
- Second-highest council
- Oxfordshire — £3,029,200
- Third-highest council
- Cornwall — £2,664,026
- Roads returned to higher limits
- At least 174; 92% of reversals were in Wales
- Speeding notices
- 7.5 million issued between 2023/24 and 2025/26
4 sources
What people are saying
Drivers in Wales have mixed views on where the 20mph limits should apply
More than half (57%) say 20mph makes sense near schools and homes, but not on main roads.
Just under half (43%) think it’s gone too far.
We're introducing 20mph speed limits in the places our residents tell us they want to see them; on residential streets, around schools and in town centres.