20mph Speed Limit May Arrive in Manchester After Cardiff’s Experience

Manchester is considering a 20mph speed limit, following Cardiff’s controversial rollout and its impact on drivers and safety.

20mph Speed Limit May Arrive in Manchester After Cardiff’s Experience
20mph Speed Limit May Arrive in Manchester After Cardiff’s Experience

Manchester: Drivers in Manchester might soon see a 20mph speed limit on residential streets. This change is part of new plans that aim to improve safety across the city.

Along with the residential limit, main roads could drop to 30mph. This means the Mancunian Way will stay at 30mph after a temporary reduction last year for safety checks.

Several 40mph roads, like the A34 Kingsway and A663 Broadway, will also see their limits cut. The city center and suburban areas are likely to be included in the 20mph plans.

At a town hall meeting, Kevin Gillham from the council mentioned he knew there was some pushback when Wales introduced a similar 20mph limit. That’s why they’re keeping main roads at 30mph.

Back in September 2023, Wales automatically lowered speed limits in built-up areas to 20mph unless local authorities said otherwise. The Welsh Government believes this will save lives and cut NHS costs significantly.

However, the rollout in Wales has stirred up quite a bit of controversy. There have been protests, and a petition against the law has gathered nearly 470,000 signatures. Some signs have even been vandalized.

When the law first kicked in, authorities promised not to start issuing fines right away. They wanted drivers to adjust first. Enforcement began in December 2023 in some areas, with others following in March 2024.

To help with this, a program called Operation Ugain was launched. It involves police, fire services, councils, and GoSafe working together to monitor speeds. If someone speeds, they get invited to a presentation instead of facing fines.

Recent reports show that over 85,000 drivers were caught speeding in Wales in 2024. A study from Transport for Wales found that the new speed limit has made journeys longer, but not by much.

Between September 2023 and April 2024, the study revealed some interesting stats. Vehicle speeds on 20mph roads dropped by an average of 4.3mph, and more drivers are sticking to the limit.

While journey times have increased slightly, the overall reliability of travel has improved. Air quality hasn’t changed much either, which is a good sign.

After all the public outcry, the Welsh Government is now reviewing the scheme and is open to changing some limits back to 30mph. They’re asking locals to share their thoughts on which roads should be adjusted.

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