Birmingham is set to remove 40mph speed limits from the vast majority of its main roads as part of a radical new safety strategy launched by the city council.
Major shift to 30mph across the city
The council has announced that virtually all primary routes across Birmingham will now have a maximum speed limit of 30mph. This represents a significant reduction for many key arteries, where the limit was previously 40mph.
This change will affect some of the busiest corridors in the city, including sections of Hagley Road West, Chester Road, and Bristol Road South. The move is expected to require a notable adjustment for drivers, particularly on wider roads that may have felt suited to higher speeds.
Enforcement and new camera locations
The policy shift is a central component of the council's Road Harm Reduction strategy, developed in partnership with police. To support the new limits, six new locations for average speed cameras have been confirmed across Birmingham.
Councillor Majid Mahmood, of Birmingham City Council, stated: "Together we must do whatever it takes to make roads safer for everyone... We are making the speed limit on virtually all roads a maximum of 30mph." He added that work with police on red light cameras is ongoing and warned that "swift and decisive action" would be taken against traffic violators.
A fundamental change for Brummie drivers
The council's announcement, made on 7 December 2025, marks a fundamental change to the driving experience in the UK's second city. The initiative underscores a growing emphasis on reducing road harm through lower speeds.
Motorists are being urged to familiarise themselves with the changes and to remember to slow down accordingly. A full list of all affected roads has been published by the council for residents to review.
