Labour Eyes UK-Wide 60mph Shift, Councils Could Gain Control

The Department for Transport is exploring significant changes to speed limits across the UK, potentially reclassifying roads and granting local councils the power to set their own limits. This comes amid growing concerns over accident rates, particularly on rural roads where motorists are six times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than on motorways.

Calls for a fundamental rethink of the 60mph speed limit currently in force on many UK roads are intensifying. The proposed changes could lead to a fragmented approach to speed management, with local authorities determining limits based on their specific road conditions.

Government Considers Major Policy Overhaul

The Department for Transport (DfT) is actively reviewing its speed limit policy as part of its broader road safety initiatives. This includes updating the “Setting Local Speed Limits” guidance, which will empower local authorities to make more tailored decisions regarding speed management on their roads.

Additionally, the DfT is undertaking work on rural road categorisation to better reflect the diverse range of road types currently grouped under the ‘rural’ definition. This move suggests a recognition that a blanket 60mph limit may not be appropriate for all rural routes.

Ministers Confirm Review of Rural Road Safety

The Department for Transport keeps speed limit policy under review as part of its wider road safety work. As set out in the Road Safety Strategy published on 7 January 2026, the Department is updating the Setting Local Speed Limits guidance to support authorities in making the best decisions about managing speed on the roads they are responsible for.

— Lilian Greenwood, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Transport

Ms. Greenwood’s statement confirms that new national guidelines are under consideration, alongside revisions to existing guidance for local authorities. The Road Safety Strategy highlights that vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and children, are disproportionately at risk on rural roads.

Key Concerns Driving Policy Changes

• Motorists are six times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on rural roads compared to motorways.
• The standard 60mph limit on narrow, twisting rural roads sparks safety concerns for motorists, cyclists, and horse riders.
• Rural roads accounted for 60% of all fatalities in 2024, despite carrying only 45% of traffic.
• The Strategic Road Network, comprising motorways and major A-roads, recorded 7% of England’s total killed or seriously injured casualties in 2024, making it the safest category.
• The DfT’s Road Safety Strategy warns that some of the most high-risk roads in the country are rural single carriageways, characterised by high speeds and limited infrastructure.

What This Means for Britain

This potential shift could mean vastly different driving experiences depending on where you live. Your daily commute or weekend drive could see speed limits change drastically from one council area to another, creating confusion and potentially increasing fines for unsuspecting motorists.

Economically, inconsistent speed limits could impact logistics and transport costs for businesses, potentially driving up prices for consumers already struggling with the cost of living. The lack of a uniform approach could hinder national efficiency and investment.

Politically, handing more power to local councils over such a critical national issue risks a postcode lottery for road safety and enforcement. This fragmented approach highlights a government struggling to deliver consistent national policy, instead offloading responsibility.

The safety of our roads, and the clarity of the rules governing them, are paramount. This piecemeal approach must be scrutinised, or ordinary Britons will pay the price in confusion, fines, and potentially, increased accidents.

This must be seen by every British voter. Demand answers from your MP on why our national road safety is being devolved without a clear, consistent plan.

Source: Daily Express | Breaking Brexit News