Widespread speed camera enforcement ‘not affordable’ as 20mph stance revealed

Birmingham City Council says reducing the volume of traffic and speed will be key in tackling the road safety emergency

12:00, 11 Mar 2025

Birmingham City Council has accepted the widespread use of speed camera enforcement is "not affordable" as it unveils a major road safety plan.

The Labour[1]-run authority declared a road safety emergency last summer amid fears over the number of people killed or seriously injured on the city's roads.

But the council's[2] 'Road Harm Reduction Strategy', set to be discussed by cabinet members next week, offers some insight into how it wants to tackle the critical issue.

READ MORE: Birmingham bin strike action demand over 'rats the size of feet'[3]

Coun Majid Mahmood, the cabinet member for transport, described it as a "blueprint for safer roads across Birmingham[4]".

"We need a new approach to respond to this road safety emergency, driving down harm and making our roads and streets safer for all users," he wrote.

"It is clear from [a consultation] that citizens want to see more enforcement and harsher consequences for drivers behaving illegally, irresponsibly or inconsiderately."

But he said the widespread use of camera enforcement was not "affordable or practical".

"Formal enforcement needs to be targeted to busy classified roads and strategic locations," Coun Mahmood said.

"In all other places, reduction of vehicular traffic volume and speed will be key."

The 'classified road network' comprises of designated A and B class roads, which have the busiest traffic flows in Birmingham.

The strategy said the costs of camera enforcement typically exceeded the revenues generated by fines.

"In this context, the widespread use of cameras to enforce speeding and moving traffic contraventions is not economically viable," it said. " Even the most 'active' cameras require ongoing revenue support to remain operational."

"Speed enforcement cameras will only be deployed on the busiest classified roads in the city, where evidence suggests speeding and other antisocial driving behaviours cause consistent road harm risk," it added.

At all other locations, the council says it will invest in infrastructure and use the Healthy Streets Approach, which champions good street design and proactive maintenance.

'Urgent need to transform Birmingham's streets'

Coun Mahmood said the city council would act by removing the majority of motor vehicles from local streets in residential areas; investing in neighbourhoods and investing in its 'classified' road corridors.

He said there would be a greater focus on public transport as well as action to crack down on issues such as street racing and pavement parking.

The strategy also refers to a divisive policy within the Birmingham Transport Plan (BTP) - the introduction of a 20mph default speed limit for all residential streets (unclassified roads) and local centres.

"The urgent need to transform Birmingham's streets is central to the BTP," it said. "If we are to transition away from car dependency, walking and cycling must become the first choice for shorter trips and to access public transport.

"This requires the creation of safe and healthy environments, particularly in local neighbourhoods."

READ MORE: Broke Birmingham - what life is like in a city that declared itself 'bankrupt'[5]

The prospect of a 20mph default speed limit in Birmingham was met with scepticism towards the end of the year amid suggestions it would be unfair on motorists.

But Coun Mahmood said slower speed limits on appropriate roads would reduce collisions and save lives.

"Our Birmingham Transport Plan sets out that 20mph should be the speed limit in residential areas and where footfall is high," he said. "Other types of roads will remain unaffected.

"Approximately one third of the city's roads are already subject to a 20mph speed limit.

We would like to expand the number of roads subject to this speed limit where appropriate and are currently exploring opportunities to carry this out".

The 20's Plenty for Us campaign group argued an "urban 20mph default is at the heart of any Safe System approach to traffic management."

The 'Road Harm Reduction Strategy' is set to be discussed at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, March 18.

References

1. ^ Labour (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ council's (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ Birmingham bin strike action demand over 'rats the size of feet' (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^ Birmingham (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
5. ^ Broke Birmingham - what life is like in a city that declared itself 'bankrupt' (www.birminghammail.co.uk)