The Department for Transport published new guidance on setting local speed limits on 8 August 2006. This asks local traffic authorities to review speed limits on their A and B roads, and implement any necessary changes by 2011.
The guidance encourages lower speed limits where the evidence or characteristics of the road warrant this. Equally local traffic authorities should consider increasing limits if it is warranted and can be done safely.
The Department acknowledges that rural settlements deserve the same protection from vehicle speeds in urban areas. It is therefore Government policy that, where appropriate, villages should be subject to 30 mph speed limits, and this was further emphasised in the Department’s new guidance on setting local speed limits.
Local traffic authorities remain best placed to decide whether 30 mph is an appropriate speed limit based upon local needs and requirements.