The Department of Transport issued its Circular Roads 4/90 which set out guidelines for the introduction
of 20mph speed limits in December 1990; first 20mph zones were implemented in 1991, in Sheffield,
Kingston upon Thames and Norwich. The country where the most successful local campaigns for 30 km/h
have been running. 51 communities have already implemented 30 km/h in their residential roads, with
13.500.000 people there. Ten more cities have committed themselves to implement 30 km/h, soon.
This means that about 20% of the British citizens are living in 30 km/h zones or will be living in one soon.
The cities selected for the list can be regarded as role models. First discussions about introducing 30 km/h
as national standard speed limit. When proposing 20 mph zones, local authorities are legally required to
consult with relevant stakeholders such as the emergency services, local residents and organisations
representing road users.
| Bath | 86.000 residents | first activities to implement wider 20mph zones in 2011; the city has been rolling out wide 20mph zones, which are regarded as very popular measures. |
| Brighton & Hove | 273.400 residents | introduction of 20mph on residential and shopping roads of the city centre on 2013; further 20mph measures introducted depending on the wishes of residents, since 2014 |
| Bristol | 432.451 residents | two pilot projects with 20mph in 2010, with 80% acceptance among residents. Continuous expansion of 20mph zones, completed in September 2015. Innovative: car drivers are invited to participate in “speed awareness course”. |
| Calderdale | 200.000 residents | 30% of roads already with 20 mph. The government decided to run a “Total 20” campaign and will have 20mph on nearly all residential roads by 2017 |
| Cambridge | 122.700 residents | wide areas of the city with 20mph, additional pedestrian areas. |
| Edinburgh | 487.500 residents | first pilot project for 53 km of the road network in 2012, without physical traffic calming. Acceptance: 75% of inhabitants lead to decision to implement 20mph on 80% of the road network (including the whole city centre). Expected to be implemented in 2016/2017. |
| Hampshire County | 1.330.200 residents | county; 12 residential areas with 20mph since 2013/2014; currently under evaluation |
| Kingston upon Hull | 250.000 residents | 20 mph on a quarter of the roads, |
| Lancashire County | 1,45 million residents | a wide range of 20 mph zones throughout the county |
| Liverpool | 473.000 residents | 20mph on 70% of all residential roads |
| London | 8.416.500 residents | First 20-mph-zones introduced in London borough Kingston upon Thames in 1990/1991, increasing number since, with 339 zones in 2007/2008. Planning: 70% of residential roads and shopping roads due to become 20mph roads within 4 years, 25% already implemented, with Islington, Camden and City of London leading; |
| London borough Camden | 225.000 residents | borough-wide speed-limit since 2013 |
| London borough Islington | 206.300 residents | 20 mph on all residential roads, since march 2010 |
| London borough Southwark | 302.500 residents | 20 mph on all residential roads, plus a few “red roads”, wich are maneged by Transport for London (TfL) |
| London borough Waltham Forest | 262.500 residents | 20 mph on all residential roads plus major roads with many pedestrians is currently being implemented, last zones will be introduced by April 2016 |
| Manchester | 510.772 residents | 20 mph in all residential areas |
| Middlesbrough | 130.000 residents | area-wide 20-mph-areas, adopted in 2011 and implemented within two years, 30 mph on major roads |
| Newcastle-upon-Tyne | 279.100 residents | 20mph on residential roads (equalling 75% of the road network), inplemented in 2010 and 2011 |
| Oxford | 150.200 residents | 20 mph in all residential areas, since September 2009 |
| Portsmouth | 206.836 residents | first British city with wide 30 km/h limits on all residential roads, without traffic calming methods, since May 2008; 1,200 roads with 20mph |
| Sheffield | 564.000 residents | first 20 mph zone introduced in 1990; commitment to roll out area-wide 20mph limits as part a city-wide review of signage in 2011, about one third already implemented |
| Warrington | 202.700 residents | whole municipality with 20 mph |
| Wigan | 87.000 residents | 20 mph in all residential areas, implemented April 2013 until December 2014 |
| York | 197.800 residents | whole municipality with 20 mph |