‘Virtually all roads’ in Birmingham set to become 30mph or less

Following a successful road safety scheme in the West Midlands, a Birmingham City Council member has revealed plans to reduce speed limits across the region.

An 18% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period the previous year now appears to be the first step in tackling the issue.

Figures from West Midlands Police revealed that 471 people were killed or seriously injured on the region’s roads between January and June 2025 – a drop from 575 in 2024.

The Regional Road Safety Partnership’s plans included increased enforcement action against speeding and dangerous driving in Birmingham and the surrounding area, as well as coordinated efforts from regional leaders and communities.

Other measures include increased reviewing of dashcam footage to identify dangerous drivers, funding for further camera capabilities across the region, and more school street schemes to block traffic in these areas.

Mayor Richard Parker also appointed Mat MacDonald as the UK’s first-ever Regional Road Safety Commissioner, who is overseeing the work with locals and the enforcement of the changes.

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As a part of the plans, there has been a ‘tripling’ of speed enforcement. In June 2025, 3,781 offences were captured by mobile enforcement vans, 4,582 captured on motorway speed cameras and 28,287 offences recorded on the average speed enforcement network.

Parker said: “The latest data shows the action plan we put in place last year is beginning to get results. So far this year 100 fewer people have lost their lives or been seriously injured, that’s 100 families spared the heartbreak that comes with road traffic collisions.

“But every life lost is one too many and we still have much work to do. We will continue to invest, innovate, and work together to make our streets safer for everyone.”

West Midlands Chief Constable Craig Guildford continued: “The reductions we are seeing in the West Midlands region are bucking the national trends, which is a testament to the genuine collaborative approach taken by all partner agencies.”

In response to the data and announcement from the Mayor, Cllr Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport with Birmingham City Council added: “It is really encouraging that there is a downward trend in the number of casualties, but I know that is no consolation to communities who have lost a loved one.

“Together we must do whatever it takes to make roads safer for everyone, which is what our Road Harm Reduction strategy sets out.

“We are making the speed limit on virtually all roads a maximum of 30mph – this will be implemented later this year.

“Working with our police partners, swift and decisive action will be taken against those who break the rules of the road. Driving is a privilege not a right.”