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Written question asked by Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 February 2026 (named day). It was answered by Lilian Greenwood (Labour) on Monday, 9 February 2026 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Roads: Speed Limits

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of lowering the speed limit on rural single carriageway roads.

Answer

The Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January 2026, commits the Government to exploring whether the proposed rural roads categories are appropriate at a local level and to assessing their potential for national application. Developing a much clearer and more consistent definition of what constitutes a ‘rural road’ could help target safety interventions more effectively, ensuring resources are spent where they can have the greatest impact. We have also announced the establishment of a data-led Road Safety Investigation Branch, which will investigate collisions on a thematic basis.

The strategy has also committed to publishing a new edition of the best practice guidance Setting local speed limits - GOV.UK which outlines how local authorities may introduce lower limits on rural roads where appropriate. The most recent publicly accessible version of this guidance emphasises that Local traffic authorities have the power to introduce speed limits lower than the national limit where local conditions justify this.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
110633
Session
2024-26
Related items
Deposited Paper DEP2026-0008
Wednesday, 7 January 2026
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Subjects
Roads Speed limits
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk