Wiltshire Council is proposing to adopt a new Speed Limit Policy to provide a clearer, fairer and more consistent approach to setting speed limits across the county, with the aim of improving road safety for everyone who uses Wiltshire’s roads.

The policy, which is currently being considered by the Cabinet Member for Highways, sets out how decisions about speed limits will be made, what evidence will be used, and how communities can request changes where there are concerns about road safety or vehicle speeds.

It replaces and updates previous guidance to reflect national best practice, changes in travel patterns, and the council’s wider commitment to reducing serious and fatal road traffic collisions.

It also gives greater emphasis to 20mph restrictions and makes it easier for local town and parish councils to apply for 20mph speed limits where appropriate. Requests for 20mph limits in residential areas, town centres and places with high pedestrian activity will be assessed centrally by the council’s traffic engineers, reflecting national guidance that these speeds are most appropriate where people and vehicles mix closely. The council will also continue to support advisory 20mph limits outside schools at busy drop‑off and pick‑up times.

Where a 20mph limit is deemed appropriate, Wiltshire Council will fund the assessment and Traffic Regulation Order process, and the local town or parish council will fund the cost of the changes on the ground, such as signage and road markings.

The new policy is designed to make sure speed limits are appropriate for the road environment, are more likely to be understood and followed by drivers, and are supported by the right mix of enforcement and engineering measures.

Under the new policy, speed limit decisions will continue to be evidence‑led, taking into account factors such as how a road is used, collision history, traffic speeds, the mix of road users, and the surrounding environment. Rather than relying on isolated spot data, the council will assess speeds along whole routes to gain a more accurate picture of how roads are actually used.

The policy also clarifies the difference between situations where changing a speed limit is the right solution and cases where other measures, such as enhanced enforcement, traffic calming, improved crossings or better signage, would be more effective.

Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “This new Speed Limit Policy gives us a clear, evidence-based framework for making decisions that affect communities across Wiltshire.

“It puts safety first, supports our Vision Zero approach to reducing serious and fatal collisions, and helps ensure speed limits make sense for the roads people use every day.

“Importantly, it also explains to residents how concerns can be raised and what we can realistically do to address them, whether that’s through speed limits, enforcement or other safety measures.

“Speed management is a key part of our road safety approach. Evidence shows that speed is a factor in a significant proportion of serious and fatal collisions, and even small reductions in driving speeds can greatly reduce the likelihood and severity of injuries.

“By adopting this policy, we aim to create safer streets, encourage more walking and cycling, improve quality of life in residential areas, and ensure speed limits across the county are consistent, credible and effective.”

The decision on whether to adopt the new Speed Limit Policy will now be made by Cllr Smith. To read the policy and find out more, people should go to: https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2324