More roads to have 20mph speed limits in the Wirral

Councillors have given the green light to plans to massively extend the numbers of Wirral roads which will have speed limits reduced to 20mph.

The aim is to help create safer and healthier street environments, which will benefit the whole Wirral community and help them live active, healthy lives in areas of good air quality.

Between the start of October and end of November 2022, the authority consulted on the first 15 areas earmarked for the introduction of the speed limits. These are areas that are predominantly residential, shopping, or have schools within them.

Members of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee have now approved the first phase of changes.

Chair of the committee, Cllr Liz Grey, said:

“Introducing more 20mph speed limits in predominantly residential, retail, or educational areas is one of the priorities identified by Wirral’s Road Safety Working Group. They encourage more considerate driving, leading to safer streets for all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians. Calmer road speeds also help to make walking and cycling more attractive options, leading to less traffic congestion, less noise and a healthier population.”

A list of roads included in the first phase is now published on the Wirral Council website – wirral.gov.uk/20mph.

In total, 52 areas of Wirral have been identified as suitable for reduced speed limits, covering all residential areas and roads where vulnerable road users will benefit, such as near to schools and in district centres across the whole borough.

The aim is to reduce speed limits across all 52 areas in four separate phases and four financial years, subject to available funding and further public consultation.

Existing 20mph speed limits were introduced in Wirral in 2012 and following the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee in March 2022 it was agreed that more funding would be invested to increase the number of 20mph speed limits across Wirral.

The projected estimated cost of implementing the 15 zone areas, as part of the Phase 1 scheme delivery, is approximately £350,000. This will be funded entirely from grant provided through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) Combined Authority Transport Plan for 2022/23; no funding is required from Wirral Council’s budget.