MP Paulette Hamilton has claimed that 20mph and 30mph speed zones in Birmingham are not being consistently enforced by police, allowing drivers to speed with impunity. Speaking during a West Midlands Road Safety debate in the House of Commons, the Labour MP for Erdington highlighted Chester Road as a particular hotspot where repeated serious collisions and fatalities have occurred, the most recent on May 24, 2026.
Drivers ignoring restrictions
Hamilton stated that "too many drivers are simply ignoring" speed restrictions, often because they know they have little chance of being caught. Many motorists are familiar with the locations of fixed speed cameras and adjust their behavior accordingly. The MP argued that without consistent enforcement, reduced speed limits and new signage would have little effect.
Community concerns
Residents in Erdington have expressed frustration that rules exist on paper but enforcement is patchy. Hamilton noted: "There is a growing frustration locally that the rules exist on paper, but enforcement and compliance are inconsistent." She added that communities need confidence that road safety measures will change driver behavior, not just introduce more signage.
Most main routes in Birmingham were recently reduced from 40mph to 30mph, and numerous 20mph zones have been rolled out in recent years. Police and council chiefs are planning new speed cameras on more routes, but Hamilton insisted these efforts would be insufficient without stronger deterrents.
Call for national guidance
Hamilton called for clearer national guidance, stronger enforcement, and better coordination between councils, police, and transport authorities. She emphasized that on major roads like Chester Road, speeding has devastating consequences for pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists. The MP's comments come amid ongoing efforts to improve road safety across Birmingham, but residents remain skeptical about the effectiveness of measures without consistent policing.
