Survey finds strong public support for lower speed limits on rural roads

Nearly four in five people in the UK support reducing speed limits on some rural roads, according to new YouGov research commissioned by Cycling UK.

The survey found that 79% of respondents favour lowering the current 60mph limit on single-lane rural roads that pass through villages and hamlets, while 78% also support reduced speed limits on narrow and winding rural roads. Support was found across all demographic groups and in every nation of the UK.

Cycling UK says the findings reinforce calls from Living Streets, the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) and the British Horse Society for a safer rural road network through lower speed limits where road conditions and vulnerable road users make the national speed limit inappropriate.

The organisations believe the results should give the government greater confidence to act on its Road Safety Strategy, published earlier this year, which includes a commitment to significantly reduce fatalities on rural roads. Rural routes remain disproportionately dangerous, accounting for around 60% of all road deaths and around half of cyclist fatalities.

Sarah Mitchell, chief executive of Cycling UK, said: “These findings demonstrate the overwhelming public support for calmer rural speeds.

“They should give the government the confidence to move forward and ensure that different speed limits apply on different types of rural roads. It’s what people want, and it will make all our journeys and communities safer.”

Among those who supported lower speed limits, almost eight in 10 (78%) said speeds through villages and hamlets should be reduced by at least half, with 30mph emerging as the most popular choice.

Jamie Hassall, Executive Director of PACTS, welcomed the findings.

He said: “The blanket application of the national speed limit across all single carriageway roads has never been appropriate because of the danger caused by people driving vehicles too fast on routes where people are walking, riding bicycles or horses.

“PACTS welcomes these survey results which show that the public know that lowering speed limits reduces the risk of harm for everyone enjoying our countryside. Now it’s time for the government to take a national lead and support local authorities across the country in their review of speed limits. We need a new consistency which prioritises safety over speed.”

The survey also found particularly strong support among women and older people, although a majority of younger adults also backed lower rural speed limits.

Cycling UK and its partner organisations argue that reducing speeds would not only help cut deaths and serious injuries but also encourage walking, cycling and horse riding by making rural roads feel safer for everyone.

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