Drivers across Birmingham must now adapt to significantly slower speeds on many of the city's major arteries. The city council has officially reduced the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph on more than 25 key routes in a sweeping road safety initiative.
Major Safety Drive Targets Key Commuter Routes
The changes, which came into force on Friday, 6 December 2025, mean residents, commuters, and visitors will need to carefully monitor their speed to avoid fines and penalty points. Council bosses stated that "virtually all roads" within the city will now have a maximum speed limit of 30mph.
New signage has been erected to alert motorists, but officials warn that drivers could be caught out, particularly on wider roads where a 40mph limit might previously have been assumed. The move forms a central part of the council's declared road safety emergency response.
Full List of Affected Roads and New Camera Rollout
The extensive list of impacted roads includes some of Birmingham's busiest thoroughfares. Key routes now subject to the 30mph limit are:
- A34 Walsall Road, A34 Perry Barr Expressway, and A34 Birchfield Road.
- A38 Bristol Road South (sections near Park Way and to the city boundary).
- A45 Coventry Road/New Coventry Road from Heybarnes Circus to the city boundary.
- A456 Hagley Road West from Perry Hill Lane to the Bearwood Road junction.
- Other major roads such as A41 Hockley Flyover, A452 Chester Road, and A441 Redditch Road.
Alongside the new limits, a rollout of new speed cameras is underway at six locations. Installation work has already begun on the first of these on Coventry Road.
Council's "Slower is Safer" Message
Cllr Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, was unequivocal about the rationale behind the changes. "When we declared a road safety emergency we promised to take action and this is what is happening," he said.
He emphasised that the primary goal is safety, not revenue. "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," Cllr Mahmood stated.
"Our message here is simple: Slower is Safer. Stick to speed limits and save lives. Neither is it about money – most of the revenue will go to central government – it is about road safety and I would be happy if not a single fine was issued for excess speed."
The comprehensive changes signal a determined effort by Birmingham City Council to alter driving behaviour and prioritise safety on the city's road network, with motorists urged to familiarise themselves with the new limits immediately.
