A 20mph speed limit is set to be imposed on more than 90 per cent of Birmingham’s roads in a new bid to save lives.
The vast majority of Birmingham’s highways – including parts of main roads – are likely to be covered by the limit within seven years.
The city council said the move would save lives and dramatically cut the number of collisions and injuries.
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And the speed reduction would also trigger a massive cull in “street clutter”, like speed cushions, bollards and warning signs, as 20mph areas are marked with simple signs and painted on the road surface.
Birmingham City Council estimates that it will save at least seven lives in three years and dramatically cut the number of collisions and injuries on our roads with a city wide limit.
Main roads could have 20mph limits outside shopping parades, schools and entrances to parks and public buildings.
The speed cut was summed up as a “no-brainer” by the chairman of the council’s transport watchdog committee, Coun Victoria Quinn.
“It all seems to stack up, it saves lives and saves money,” she said.
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The committee heard there were 7,349 traffic accidents, leading to 10,660 casualties, in Birmingham between 2010 and 2012.
A total of 79 involved fatalities, while 1,204 led to serious injuries and 9,377 resulted in minor wounds.
The committee heard accident rates had fallen by between eight and 60 per cent in parts of the country where widespread 20mph zones had already been introduced.
If the city’s rate fell by the least amount expected – that would mean seven fewer road deaths in Birmingham. It would also lead to sharp falls in the numbers of pedestrian children killed or seriously injured.
The speed cut will be rolled out across the city, targeting high accident areas first or targeting areas where roadworks are taking place.
Transport policy manager Richard Leonard said the policy was set to cost £7 million to introduce.
But taxpayers’ money would be saved through reduced policing and accident repair costs. He said that there would be no extra enforcement, but that police resources would be freed up by the lower accident rate.
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“It has been found that two thirds of people obey the new speed limit and many more will drive slightly over leaving a few who still speed,” Mr Leonard said. Under the plans communities could also be given speed guns to monitor the new limits.
The council’s plans will be put out to public consultation on October 21.
Founder of campaigning group 20’s Plenty for Us, Rod King MBE, said: “With Birmingham City and City of London becoming the latest traffic authorities committing to wide 20mph limits this creates a pivotal moment in enhancing the liveability, safety and active mobility of our communities.
“This is an opportunity for the Dept for Transport to recognise that most of it larger cities are rejecting the idea of the 75 year old 30mph “national” limit for urban roads. Its time to say that 20’s Plenty where people, live, work shop and go to school.”