Motorists in Birmingham face a significant expansion of speed enforcement in the coming year, as the city council rolls out new average speed cameras across six major routes. The move is part of a declared road safety emergency and will bring the total number of routes monitored by average speed technology in the city to twelve.
New routes targeted for speed enforcement
The council has confirmed that the first of the new cameras will be an extension of the existing operation on the A45 Coventry Road, stretching from Berkeley Road to Bordesley Middleway. This will be followed by installations on five additional key corridors throughout 2026.
The full list of locations set to receive new average speed cameras is:
- A47 Nechells/Fort Parkway (from the A4040 ring road to A452 Chester Road)
- B4121 West Boulevard (between Selcroft Avenue and California Way)
- A34 Walsall Road (from Wellington Road to Newton Road/City Boundary)
- B4114 Washwood Heath Road (between Ward End Park Road and Bromford Lane)
- A34 Stratford Road (from Coniston Close to Robin Hood Lane)
Existing camera zones and a warning for drivers
These new installations will operate alongside the six existing average speed camera sections already active in Birmingham. These currently monitor:
- A38 Bristol Road between Priory Road and Speedwell Road
- A456 Hagley Road between Portland Road and Lordswood Road
- A4540 New John Street between Lucas Circus and Hospital Street
- A34 Newtown Row between New John Street West and Newbury Road
- A45 Coventry Road between Berkley Road and Rowland Road/Steyning Road
- A4540 Middleway between Five Ways and Haden Circus
The expansion coincides with recent speed limit reductions to 30mph on several main roads around the city, increasing the risk for drivers who fail to adapt their speed. Council bosses warn that the heightened enforcement will inevitably lead to a surge in fines for those breaking the law.
Official stance: "Slower is Safer"
Cllr Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, was unequivocal about the rationale behind the expansion. "When we declared a road safety emergency we promised to take action and this is what is happening," he stated. "There is no excuse for dangerous driving. We are installing these cameras to stop those drivers who think it is acceptable to put people at risk by travelling too fast."
He highlighted the tragic consequences already seen, noting, "Too many lives have already been lost as a direct result of a few reckless motorists on the Coventry Road and this cannot continue. Our message here is simple: Slower is Safer. Stick to speed limits and save lives."
The initiative has received backing from West Midlands Police. Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: "I fully support this initiative, which will hopefully reduce the number of people who are killed or seriously injured on our roads."
The rollout throughout 2026 marks a major step in the council's road safety strategy, promising a much larger net of continuous speed monitoring across Birmingham's highway network.
