Creating a safer, greener city with changes to speed limits

Tuesday, 1 November 2022 17:49

City of Wolverhampton Council’s commitment to creating a safer, greener city is set to continue by reducing speed limits on short stretches of routes that lead to the ring road

The change aims to give consistency for road users, provide environmental benefits and offer a safer way into the city centre.

The speed limit on the ring road was set at 30mph last November after only three objections to the idea were received during a public consultation.

A further consultation this summer on reducing the limit to 30mph on short stretches on five surrounding approach routes received just one objection.

The reduction from 40mph to 30mph will affect limited sections of Stafford Street, Penn Road, Birmingham Road, Dudley Road and Grove Street.

The change will provide a consistent approach on roads leading into the city and is intended to encourage compliance with the speed limit on the ring road.

This aims to have the triple benefit of reducing the number of personal injury accidents, being better for the environment and encouraging more people to walk and cycle.

The new limits are due to come into effect later this month and signs will be updated along the affected routes to alert road users to the change.

Councillor Steve Evans, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for city environment and climate change, said: “We reduced the limit on the city’s ring road for a number of important reasons – people’s safety, environmental benefits and to offer increased options for cyclists and pedestrians.

“The additional reduction on short stretches of five approaching routes will have the same advantages while also providing a consistent speed limit as people come into the city centre.

“We know that reduced speed limits are better for the environment - driving more slowly at a steady pace saves fuel, reduces pollution and prevents less aggressive acceleration and braking.

“These speed limit reductions will reflect the change that was made to the ring road and keep journeys into the city consistent for road users. We also hope they will help people to feel safer and encourage the use of cleaner and greener transport options.”