UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
You have rejected additional cookies. This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives. Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. They should encourage self-compliance. Speed limits should be seen by drivers as the maximum rather than a target speed. Traffic authorities set local speed limits in situations where local needs and conditions suggest a speed limit that is lower than the national speed limit.
This guidance is to be used for setting all local speed limits on single and dual carriageway roads in both urban and rural areas. This guidance should also be used as the basis for assessments of local speed limits, for developing route management strategies and for developing the speed management strategies that can be included in local transport plans.
Traffic authorities should use the right speed limits in the right places. They should keep their speed limits under review and only introduce 20mph limits and zones in the right places, over time and with local support in urban areas and built-up village streets that are primarily residential, using the criteria in Urban speed limits. The legislative power for setting local speed limits lies with the traffic authority. This guidance is not binding on them. Traffic authorities do, however, have an obligation to conform to relevant legislation.
The Department for Transport DfT has a vision for a transport system that is an engine for economic growth, but one that is also more sustainable, safer and improves the quality of life in our communities. Setting appropriate speed limits with the aim of achieving safe and appropriate driving speeds can play an important role in supporting this vision. This guidance sets out the framework that traffic authorities should follow when setting and reviewing local speed limits.
