Two-thirds of Brits oppose plans to expand 20mph speed limits, survey finds

Fresh opposition to plans for wider 20mph limits has emerged, with a new survey suggesting that most British motorists remain unconvinced by proposals to lower speeds on more urban roads.

The findings come just weeks after parliamentary advisers called for 20mph speed limits to become the default on urban roads, a recommendation that reignited debate over road safety, congestion and the role lower speed limits should play in Britain's transport network.

According to research commissioned by insurance comparison site Quotezone, 66 per cent of the 1,000 adults surveyed said they would oppose reducing key 30mph roads to 20mph. A similar proportion, 67 per cent, described 20mph limits as "too slow".

The figures arrive as local authorities across England and Scotland continue expanding lower-speed zones, following Wales' controversial move to introduce a default 20mph limit on residential and built-up roads in September 2023.

For riders, the debate is unlikely to be a straightforward one. While many motorcyclists share drivers' frustrations over what they see as unnecessarily restrictive limits, lower urban speeds have also long been linked to reductions in the severity of collisions, particularly where vulnerable road users are concerned.

The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety recently argued that a nationwide default 20mph limit in urban areas could help reduce casualties and improve public health. The proposal forms part of a wider push to cut deaths and serious injuries on Britain's roads, with the Government's latest road safety strategy targeting a 65 per cent reduction by 2035.

Supporters of lower limits point to early data from Wales, where official figures indicate around 100 fewer people were killed or seriously injured during the first year of the scheme. Research has also suggested that even small reductions in average traffic speeds can have a measurable effect on collision rates.

However, public resistance remains significant, particularly among motorists concerned about longer journey times and whether blanket limits are appropriate for all roads.

Greg Wilson, CEO and insurance expert at Quotezone, said the survey shows many drivers remain sceptical about reducing more 30mph roads to 20mph, despite evidence suggesting safety benefits. He said:

"Ultimately, decisions around speed limits sit with local authorities, and they must balance public sentiment with safety outcomes, congestion, and the needs of different road users when assessing what's appropriate for their communities," 

For now, there is no nationwide plan to replace 30mph limits across Britain. But with advisory bodies pushing for wider adoption, local councils continuing to expand schemes, and Wales providing a real-world test case, the argument over whether 20 really is plenty looks set to rumble on.

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