Drivers across Birmingham are facing a major change to their daily commutes as the city council enforces new, lower speed limits on more than two dozen key routes.
The authority has confirmed that speed limits have been reduced from 40mph to 30mph on a significant number of main roads, with signage now in place to inform motorists.
Major Routes Affected by New Limits
The council's cabinet member for environment and transport, Cllr Majid Mahmood, stated the move is a direct response to the declaration of a road safety emergency. He emphasised the council's simple message: "Slower is Safer. Stick to speed limits and save lives."
Among the busy roads now subject to the 30mph limit are sections of the A34 Walsall Road, A38 Bristol Road South, and A456 Hagley Road West. The council has indicated that this change means virtually all roads within the city now have a maximum speed limit of 30mph.
This serves as a clear warning to drivers who were accustomed to the previous 40mph limits on these wider, main routes.
Enforcement and Full List of Roads
To ensure compliance with the new regulations, the council is implementing additional measures. New speed cameras are being installed at several locations around Birmingham, and police speed operations are expected to focus on the affected routes.
The extensive list of roads where the 30mph limit now applies includes:
- A34 Perry Barr Expressway & Birchfield Road
- A452 Chester Road North & Chester Road
- A38 Tyburn Road & Kingsbury Road
- A45 Small Heath Highway & Coventry Road
- A41 Hockley Flyover (Soho Hill and Hockley Hill)
- Bristol Road South (sections eastbound and westbound)
- Hagley Road West (from Perry Hill Lane to Bearwood Road)
Other notable roads on the list are A47 Heartlands Parkway, A4540 Ring Road sections, and A441 Redditch Road.
A City-Wide Push for Safety
The widespread reduction, announced and implemented in January 2026, represents one of the most significant city-wide traffic calming initiatives in recent years. It underscores the local authority's commitment to its declared road safety emergency.
For regular commuters and residents, the change means recalculating journey times and adjusting driving habits on familiar arteries. The council's decisive action aims to create a safer environment for all road users, but it places the onus on drivers to observe the new, lower limits consistently.
