Roads - speed limits

National speed limits are set by the government. Local speed limits are set by local councils and the police enforce them.

Speed limits do not automatically reduce speed. The wrong speed limit will not only be ineffective but will undermine the value of other speed limits. Speed limits must be appropriate for the conditions and at a level which drivers will obey without the police being in constant attendance. If you think that a speed limit should be changed, please contact us.

The appropriateness of speed limits is assessed against the council's speed management strategy. In doing so, we take account of the characteristics of the road, such as its alignment, the level of activity alongside the road, the accident record and the recorded speed of vehicles.

In some situations, where the speed limit is deemed appropriate but typical speeds remain high, we may consider introducing speed management measures. We may consider traffic calming measures but typically these are reserved for locations where other measures have been ineffective.