Reform UK, the largest party on Birmingham City Council, has confirmed it will oppose the ruling coalition's plan to make 20mph the standard speed limit on all local roads. The party argues that a blanket approach would make journeys slower and more frustrating in a city already struggling with congestion and roadworks.
Reform's opposition to blanket 20mph limits
Reform UK said it supports 20mph limits where there is a genuine safety need, such as outside schools during drop-off and pick-up times, but it should not become the default across the city. The party's group leader, Coun Jex Parkin, said: "People are fed up with being made to feel that driving around their own city is a problem. Birmingham’s roads are already difficult enough to navigate without the council putting yet another obstacle in people’s way."
Parkin added: "This is an anti-motorist policy and Reform will oppose it. Keep 20mph where there is a genuine safety need – but scrap the idea that it should become the default across Birmingham." The party took 22 council seats at May's elections, making it the largest group, but it does not control the authority as no party secured a majority and other groups refused to form a coalition with Reform.
Council's Local Plan backs 20mph as standard
The ruling coalition, which includes the Liberal Democrats and the Greens, has confirmed that 20mph limits will be "standard on all local roads" as part of its Local Plan. The document, which sets out the city's future development, states: "Walking and cycling will become how most people get around their locality most of the time. Cars will no longer dominate street life around homes and schools. A limit of 20mph will be standard on all local roads."
The plan also says residential neighbourhoods and local centres will become places where "people are put first". The 20mph policy would exclude A roads, which the plan describes as some of the "most important and busiest metropolitan" routes in the West Midlands.
Reform calls for evidence-based speed limits
Reform argues that speed limits should be decided on an individual basis, taking into account evidence, genuine safety needs, and local circumstances. Shadow cabinet member for Transport Coun Anthony Ward said: "Road safety matters, but blanket 20mph limits are not the answer. Where 20mph is genuinely needed, we will support it. Where 30mph is safe and appropriate, it should be left at 30."
Ward added: "People trying to get to work, take their children to school, visit family, get to appointments or simply get across Birmingham already face enough obstacles. The council should be making it easier to get around our city, not harder." The debate over the 20mph policy is expected to continue as the Local Plan moves through the approval process, with Reform vowing to oppose the measure at every stage.
