In a major move to enhance safety and promote greener travel, Birmingham City Council has officially reduced speed limits on 27 major roads across the city. The changes, which came into effect at the start of 2026, see previous 40mph limits lowered to a new standard of 30mph.
Full List of Roads Affected by New 30mph Limit
The council's comprehensive project targets some of the city's busiest arterial routes. The affected roads now operating under a 30mph limit include:
- A34 Walsall Road / Perry Barr Expressway / Birchfield Road / High Street
- A4041 Queslett Road
- A452 Chester Road North and Chester Road
- A5127 Lichfield Road
- A38 Bristol Road South (eastbound and westbound sections)
- A45 Small Heath Highway and Coventry Road
- A456 Hagley Road West
- A41 Hockley Flyover (Soho Hill & Hockley Hill)
- B4148 Tyburn Road and Eachelhurst Road
- A4540 Ring Road (clockwise sections from Dartmouth Circus to Spring Hill)
Other significant routes on the list are A47 Heartlands Parkway, A441 Redditch Road, and B4121 Wolverhampton Road South, among others. The council stated the aim is to make streets 'safer and more welcoming for everyone'.
Council and Police Drive for Safer Streets
Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, emphasised the broader goals behind the initiative. "This is a really important measure to make our roads safer," he said. "However, it is about so much more than that; we want to encourage sustainable travel and reduce the impact of traffic on our local communities. Lower speeds mean safer streets, cleaner air and a more resilient transport network for everyone."
He thanked residents and businesses for their patience during the rollout and confirmed the council will monitor the impacts in the coming months.
West Midlands Police have pledged their support for the new limits. Assistant Chief Constable Mike O'Hara, who leads the Roads Policing Unit, linked speed directly to serious collisions. "We are completely focused on reducing the number of people who are killed and seriously injured on the roads of the West Midlands," he stated, urging drivers to comply to help make the region safer for all.
A Shift Towards Calmer, Cleaner Communities
This widespread reduction in speed limits forms a key part of Birmingham's strategy to improve road safety and air quality. By calming traffic on these 27 corridors, the council hopes to create environments that are more conducive to walking and cycling, thereby supporting its wider sustainable travel objectives.
The changes, announced at the beginning of January 2026, represent one of the most significant city-wide traffic calming measures implemented in recent years. The council's decision underscores a growing priority for urban safety and environmental health in the UK's second-largest city.
