Fury as UK councils spend £41.9m introducing 20mph limits
Britain's 20mph speed limit rollout has been branded “political virtue signalling” after councils spent £41.9 million introducing schemes, despite at least 174 roads already reverting to higher limits. The figures, obtained by Confused.com through Freedom of Information requests, have prompted criticism from motoring campaigners and taxpayer watchdogs, who argue councils should prioritise essential services instead of spending millions on unpopular restrictions.
TL;DR
- Councils in Britain have spent £41.9 million on introducing 20mph speed limits.
- At least 174 roads have already been reverted to higher speed limits.
- Critics label the rollout "political virtue signalling" and a waste of taxpayer money.
- Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, and Cornwall are among the top spending councils.
- The majority of road reversals (92%) occurred in Wales.
- Campaigners advocate for prioritizing essential services over unpopular speed restrictions.
- Motorists support limits near schools and residential areas but question blanket restrictions.
- Speeding enforcement has increased, with 7.5 million Notices of Intended Prosecution issued over three years.
- Fixed speed cameras were out of service on at least 493 occasions.
- Supporters argue lower speed limits aim to reduce road danger, citing speed as a factor in 52% of fatal collisions in 2025.