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County to begin work on roll out of 20mph speed limits

Published
Gloucestershire County Council is set to begin introducing community-backed 20mph speed limits and other road safety measures as part of a major new road safety programme.

At its cabinet meeting on 18 March, councillors will be asked to approve the Safer Roads and Community 20s programme. This sets out how lower speed limits will be introduced in towns, villages and neighbourhoods where there is local support, alongside targeted reductions on higher-risk rural roads.

The programme aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries, make streets safer for residents and support healthier, more active communities.

Lower speeds are proven to reduce both the likelihood and severity of collisions. In residential areas they also make it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel and cycle, helping children get to school safely, older residents stay active, and communities feel more connected.

The county council has already secured almost £2.8 million of funding to begin delivery, with the first schemes expected in 2026/27. A phased four-year approach will prioritise areas with the greatest road safety need.

Cllr Lisa Spivey, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Keeping people safe on our roads is one of our biggest priorities. This programme will allow us to introduce 20mph limits in communities that want them and where they will make the biggest difference to safety. 

“This is a practical, evidence-led approach that focuses on reducing serious injuries and deaths while working closely with local communities.”

More than 150 parish councils and unparished areas in Gloucester and Cheltenham have already expressed interest in joining the programme. 

Each community will be engaged directly, with information shared about local traffic speeds and collision data before any formal consultation takes place. 

Alongside community 20mph limits, the council will continue delivering safety schemes at locations where collision records show people are most at risk. These may include speed reductions or physical changes to road layouts. 

Although casualty numbers have fallen since the council set a target to halve deaths and serious injuries from 2022 to 2032, 1,125 people were involved in road traffic collisions in Gloucestershire last year, highlighting the need for continued action.

Cabinet approval will allow officers to finalise the first year’s programme and begin detailed engagement with communities. 

Extra information:

  1. The Safer Roads and Community 20s programme sets out how Gloucestershire County Council will introduce 20mph speed limits in residential areas where there is clear local support, alongside targeted reductions on higher-risk rural roads.
  2. Gloucestershire County Council has secured almost £2.8 million of funding to begin delivery of the programme, with the first schemes expected to be implemented from 2026/27.
  3. More than 150 parish councils, along with the unparished areas of Gloucester and Cheltenham, have expressed interest in participating in the programme.
  4. Each area will go through a structured engagement process, including sharing local traffic speed data and collision information with communities before formal consultation begins.
  5. The programme will be delivered over four years, prioritising areas with the greatest road safety and public health need.
  6. Alongside Community 20s schemes, the council will continue delivering targeted safety improvements at locations with a history of serious collisions. These may include speed reductions, changes to road layouts or other engineering measures.
  7. Gloucestershire County Council has set a target to halve the number of people killed or seriously injured on the county’s roads by 2032.
  8. In the most recent reporting year, 1,125 people were involved in road traffic collisions on Gloucestershire’s roads.

Initial programme phasing

Phase 1 – 2026/27

Pre-planned schemes on individual A and B roads and early community 20mph schemes including Tuffley, Dursley and Cheltenham Central.

Phase 2 – 2027/28

Initial engagement beginning with:

  • Cirencester and surrounding areas
  • Cheltenham (parished and unparished areas)
  • Stroud and Cainscross
  • Tewkesbury, Ashchurch and Wheatpieces
  • Cinderford, Ruspidge, Soudley and Littledean

Phase 3 – 2027/28–2028/29

Engagement beginning in Gloucester and further towns and parishes.