Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether current legislation and enforcement around speed limits is working; and what steps they are taking, if any, to ensure that particular design decisions, such as the removal of pedestrian crossings, does not increase the number of speeding vehicles.

In November 2018, the Department published an evaluation into 20mph (signed only) limits: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/20-mph-speed-limits-on-roads.

It has long been thought that most residents and drivers support 20mph limits, and the study confirms this. The study looked at the enablers and barriers to implementing a successful scheme and found that early engagement and buy-in from other stakeholders, including cross-party support from local councillors; clear articulation of the scheme’s rationale, objectives and outcomes; and tailoring of schemes to local circumstances were crucial to a scheme being accepted by the public and delivered to the anticipated quality, programme and cost.

Design of streets in their care is a matter for local authorities, including installation or removal of pedestrian crossings. It is for them to decide if removing or altering a crossing is appropriate. In doing so they may consider the effect on factors such as traffic flow and speed and pedestrian movements. The Department is currently updating its guidance on designing traffic signals and pedestrian crossings, to be published later this year.

Enforcement of speed limits is a matter for the police.