Roll out of 20mph speed limit continues as some say it's a 'total waste of time'

20mph speed limit sign in Penryn
-Credit: (Image: Maxine Denton/CornwallLive)


It’s been two years since Cornwall Council started making moves to reduce speed limits from 30mph to 20mph in hundreds of residential areas and now the scheme is set to be rolled out in Cornwall’s biggest town - St Austell.

The council said it is aiming to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the road by 50 per cent by 2030. The programme, which will cost an estimated £4 million, was a key manifesto pledge for the Conservatives at the 2021 local elections.

However, former Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, had criticised the 20mph zones in the run up to this year's General Election. He said at the time that it should not be imposed "against the will of local communities," CoventryLive reported.

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The programme is being rolled out across Cornwall in five stages and will affect 700 roads. Phase 1, the trial stage, was implemented in Camelford, Falmouth and Penryn in 2022. According to the council, speeds in areas where the trial was introduced in Camelford were reduced by 5.7mph on average. In Falmouth and Penryn, they reportedly dropped by an average of 6.9mph.

The council also said the scheme has been mostly supported by communities. In March and April 2022, they said they received 76 per cent positive feedback in Falmouth and Penryn and 86 per cent positive feedback in Camelford.

The change to our roads has been introduced in an attempt to make them safer for pedestrians as well as to encourage more people to walk and cycle, which would see benefits to the environment. Since the introduction of the new 20mph speed limits across Cornwall, the council said it has received 150 requests from communities for the scheme to be implemented in their area.

A spokesperson said: “Reducing speed limits from 30mph to 20mph has been shown to reduce casualties and increase activity levels, as lower speeds encourage more people to walk, scoot or cycle. It’s about making residential streets safer and compelling everyone to play their part in helping to create accessible and liveable streets for all.

“The 20mph programme is supported by many residents, with the council receiving more than 150 requests from communities across Cornwall wanting to see speed limits reduced in their area.

“A review of the first phase of the 20mph roll-out has been positive, with reduced speeds detected at most sites. There are improvements we can make at the remaining locations to encourage further compliance with the speed limit. We will continue to monitor future phases post implementation.”

However, on a wider scale, there has been a mix of opinions regarding the roll-out of the 20mph speed limits, with many claiming it has not made a difference in residential areas as too many drivers ignore the new limit. Others feel there is also a greater need for enforcement of the speed limit, with some saying signage on its own is not enough to slow every driver down.

After the initial introduction of the 20mph speed limits, one CornwallLive reader said: “From what I've seen the only places that the vast majority of drivers abide by the speed limit is where there is either a speed camera visible, or a police presence.

“Enforcing speed limits is a losing battle, whether in built up areas or on country lanes (where some people drive at ridiculous speeds). If the 20mph areas aren't constantly policed the council are wasting time and money as very few will abide by it. I live in a 40mph area - total waste of time - very few drivers take any notice of the limit.

Another also commented: “A 20mph limit exists on the road where I live in Perranwell Station and very few motorists abide by it. It is a rat-run used by many who live outside of the immediate area and whilst even local residents exceed the limit some of the worst offenders are the operators of heavy machinery, with trailers et al in tow, from the very busy farm up the road. My take is that a 20mph limit in our area is pointless since it cannot be policed and even the illuminated/flashing signs have little or no effect.”

A third reader also previously said: “To be fair this sounds an excellent idea though unworkable. I live in Helston in an area that has a 20mph speed limit which is almost totally ignored. This limit was introduced before we moved to the area 13 years ago due to the local high school etc. Police don’t have sufficient staff to monitor these areas now let alone after introducing more 20mph limits.”

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Cllr Connor Donnithorne, the portfolio holder for transport at Cornwall Council, said the police can and will enforce the 20mph speed limits. However, he added that drivers have an individual responsibility to ensure they comply with the limit.

“The police will enforce [the speed limit] in accordance with the rules,” Cllr Donnithorne said. “But we rely on people to drive safely. Signs are one way to remind people of the limit but if they don’t follow them they will face police action.”

Overall, drivers have been complying with the new limits, he added, and there is evidence of a reduction of speed through areas where the 20mph limit has been introduced. Cllr Donnithorne said this reduction is key to reducing fatalities on Cornwall’s road network as identified by the council and Devon and Cornwall Police ’s Vision Zero - the South West’s road safety partnership.

He added: “Cornwall Council has been working collaboratively with the police and Vision Zero on this scheme as it was identified before the trial that people die on our road network and a lot of collisions are caused by speeding."

“The trial in Penryn, Falmouth and Camelford showed there is greater compliance and a reduction of speed. There will never be 100 per cent compliance because some will speed wherever they are but the vast majority of people do follow the speed limit.”

Connor Donnithorne, portfolio holder for transport at Cornwall Council
Connor Donnithorne, portfolio holder for transport at Cornwall Council -Credit:©Macleod Paul 2023

Cornwall is not the only place to see a number of its 30mph roads given a new 20mph speed limit. The default speed limit was also introduced on restricted roads by the Welsh Government last year, as a way of reducing casualties.

However, a year on it has been reported that North Wales Police were unable to produce evidence that the law has reduced casualties. During a meeting earlier this month at a North Wales Police and Crime Panel at Conwy County Council’s Bodlondeb HQ, Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said he was unable to provide, or hadn’t seen, evidence to show there has been a reduction in fatalities as a result of the scheme, the Chester Standard reported .

The Welsh Government has since said there has been a long-term decrease in both casualties and collisions, according to WalesOnline. It added that the government would continue to monitor the trend and review roads which should be reverted back to 30mph.

This approach is also being used in Cornwall as Cllr Donnithorne said the council will continue to review the scheme and adapt its approach accordingly. “Not every road in Cornwall is becoming 20mph,” he said. “If the council thinks it’s not working well, they will adapt.

“It’s not a one size fits all approach. If our communities don’t see [the scheme] fits, we will review it and if our communities want us to go further, we will have to be very careful about the way in which we do this.”

While many have welcomed the new 20mph speed limit in their area, with some having campaigned for years for the change, others have felt it is unnecessary. One CornwallLive reader previously said: “Once again who comes up with these stupid decisions? Who is going to take any notice when a lot of motorists already break the existing speed limits. Meanwhile a lot of roads in Cornwall are not maintained or are provided with cycle trails which few use. You couldn’t make it up.”

While another said: “What a massive waste of money. Nobody follows speed limits now, why would that change all of a sudden.” Someone else also commented: “Unless it’s properly overseen, a complete waste of time and money. The chances of speeders being caught is minuscule, culprits will only be found out if there happens to be a police presence at the time.”

Cllr Donnithorne said that while some may disagree with the scheme, it is right that the council sticks to the roll-out to make Cornwall’s roads safer for drivers and pedestrians. “It is important we listen to all views across Cornwall but I stand by the 20mph speed limit because our people want them,” he said.

“It helps make streets safer for kids walking to school and elderly people can walk safely in their villages. If we can save lives by making our roads slower and safer, where appropriate, we will do that.

“I know in St Day, which I represent as a councillor, the community has been campaigning for 10 years for [the 20mph limit] and it was a key pledge on the Conservative manifesto to deliver it, so it is the right thing to do.”