20mph speed limits are saving lives and improving communities. Sheffield City Council (SCC)‘s current policy prevents these speed limit reductions on busier roads, despite this being where the most danger and injuries are.
We need this to change so we can have safe speed limits where they are most needed.
In Sheffield 20mph limits have been welcomed on the residential streets where they are used. They don’t need enforcement for things to start getting better. Driving becomes calmer and noise and traffic danger reduces. This makes it easier to enjoy our streets, and to walk, wheel and cycle more safely. 20mph is safer for anyone inside cars too, which is where people are most likely to get injured on our roads. Journey times don't increase much, if at all, and less braking and acceleration means cars use less fuel.
However, SCC’s policy restricts these benefits to minor residential streets, excluding main roads. This leaves out the places where most people get hurt, and where safer speeds could save the most lives. Chopping and changing speed limits also creates confusion for drivers and causes more costs and clutter from signs.
In the last three years 31 people have been killed in Sheffield on roads with speed limits above 20mph (these are 90% of all road deaths). 26 of these tragedies happened on roads which have been or will be excluded from the 20mph schemes. Hundreds more people have also been seriously injured on these excluded roads.
The 20mph policy in Wales lowered average speeds by 4mph and reduced injuries by 32%. Drivers across Wales now save £45 a year on insurance, due to fewer crashes and claims. If replicated here this would save Sheffield drivers £11million a year.
Edinburgh’s 20mph limits have seen a 39% reduction in casualties. They are now extending 20mph to more main roads.
In central London almost all roads are 20mph, including the largest and busiest. This has led to a 50% reduction in child casualties and a 75% reduction in child deaths.
A new strategy for 20mph limits in Sheffield is on the way.
To save more lives and reduce more traffic danger, noise and pollution, we call for main roads to be included in 20mph schemes, and to prioritise the roads with the most injuries.
Updates
We’ve sent a message to Sheffield City Council
October 22, 2026
Thanks to everyone who has supported this petition, all 287 of you, we have been able to send a clear message to SCC that we need safe speeds on our main roads. We presented this petition yesterday to the Transport Regeneration and Climate committee. You can see at 12 mins into the webcast here https://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=645&MId=10243&Ver=4 This will be included as part of the council’s consultation on 20mph policy. You can also send your own response to that consultation here https://haveyoursay.sheffield.gov.uk/20mph-zones Thank you for your support for safe roads.
Reached 250 supporters
October 9, 2026
Over 200 and growing... and a piece in The Star supporting safer main roads
October 9, 2026
Thanks to everyone who has signed already - we have over 200 people calling for safe speeds! Please continue to share the link with friends, neighbour and your community. We will submit the petition to Sheffield City Council at the next Transport meeting on 21 October. If you can come along to support this please let us know at [email protected]. Thank you! A piece in The Star supporting this campaign with some detail on which roads in Sheffield see the most injuries and so could be the most valuable priorities for places to reduce speeds: https://www.thestar.co.uk/your-world/time-for-safe-speeds-on-our-most-dangerous-roads-9273232
Reached 100 supporters
September 24, 2026
107 Comments
We are driving on roads which are unsuitable for today's level of traffic. Cars parked by the roadside & on the pavement make the environment less manageable for cyclists, pedestrians & motorists & a lower speed helps to mitigate this. I find it easier to stick to a single speed limit, rather than navigating changing limits so 20 everywhere makes sense.
The traffic on Fitzwalter road is too fast for such a congested area, and I have seen 2 accidents in the past couple of years. It's also quite frightening trying to cross the 5 way junction, which I have to do frequently.
Reducing speed on residential roads is vital to protecting pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, some residential roads in Sheffield go from 20mph to 40mph to 30mph within 50 metres… better (safer) thought-out speed limits help everyone, drivers included.
I don't feel safe cycling with my kids on 30 mph roads. If an accident happens it could well be fatal. I want my kids to be safe. When driving, I want to have sufficient time to see hazards and to react to everything going on in this congested city with narrow roads and parked cars.
Making roads safer
I live on a bus route The road is not straight and there is on street parking Despite this, many cars do not respect even the 30mph limit Children, elderly, pets and wildlife live around here We too deserve to feel safe on our street with better air quality
Safety. Much improvement for active travel and thus health.
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20mph speed limits are saving lives and improving communities. Sheffield City Council (SCC)‘s current policy prevents these speed limit reductions on busier roads, despite this being where the most danger and injuries are.
We need this to change so we can have safe speed limits where they are most needed.
In Sheffield 20mph limits have been welcomed on the residential streets where they are used. They don’t need enforcement for things to start getting better. Driving becomes calmer and noise and traffic danger reduces. This makes it easier to enjoy our streets, and to walk, wheel and cycle more safely. 20mph is safer for anyone inside cars too, which is where people are most likely to get injured on our roads. Journey times don't increase much, if at all, and less braking and acceleration means cars use less fuel.
However, SCC’s policy restricts these benefits to minor residential streets, excluding main roads. This leaves out the places where most people get hurt, and where safer speeds could save the most lives. Chopping and changing speed limits also creates confusion for drivers and causes more costs and clutter from signs.
In the last three years 31 people have been killed in Sheffield on roads with speed limits above 20mph (these are 90% of all road deaths). 26 of these tragedies happened on roads which have been or will be excluded from the 20mph schemes. Hundreds more people have also been seriously injured on these excluded roads.
The 20mph policy in Wales lowered average speeds by 4mph and reduced injuries by 32%. Drivers across Wales now save £45 a year on insurance, due to fewer crashes and claims. If replicated here this would save Sheffield drivers £11million a year.
Edinburgh’s 20mph limits have seen a 39% reduction in casualties. They are now extending 20mph to more main roads.
In central London almost all roads are 20mph, including the largest and busiest. This has led to a 50% reduction in child casualties and a 75% reduction in child deaths.
A new strategy for 20mph limits in Sheffield is on the way.
To save more lives and reduce more traffic danger, noise and pollution, we call for main roads to be included in 20mph schemes, and to prioritise the roads with the most injuries.
Updates
We’ve sent a message to Sheffield City Council
October 22, 2026
Thanks to everyone who has supported this petition, all 287 of you, we have been able to send a clear message to SCC that we need safe speeds on our main roads. We presented this petition yesterday to the Transport Regeneration and Climate committee. You can see at 12 mins into the webcast here https://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=645&MId=10243&Ver=4 This will be included as part of the council’s consultation on 20mph policy. You can also send your own response to that consultation here https://haveyoursay.sheffield.gov.uk/20mph-zones Thank you for your support for safe roads.
Reached 250 supporters
October 9, 2026
Over 200 and growing... and a piece in The Star supporting safer main roads
October 9, 2026
Thanks to everyone who has signed already - we have over 200 people calling for safe speeds! Please continue to share the link with friends, neighbour and your community. We will submit the petition to Sheffield City Council at the next Transport meeting on 21 October. If you can come along to support this please let us know at [email protected]. Thank you! A piece in The Star supporting this campaign with some detail on which roads in Sheffield see the most injuries and so could be the most valuable priorities for places to reduce speeds: https://www.thestar.co.uk/your-world/time-for-safe-speeds-on-our-most-dangerous-roads-9273232
Reached 100 supporters
September 24, 2026
107 Comments
It needs to feel safer to walk and cycle in Sheffield, this could relieve loads of congestion on the roads, and a 20mph limit more widely would save lives
We are driving on roads which are unsuitable for today's level of traffic. Cars parked by the roadside & on the pavement make the environment less manageable for cyclists, pedestrians & motorists & a lower speed helps to mitigate this. I find it easier to stick to a single speed limit, rather than navigating changing limits so 20 everywhere makes sense.
The traffic on Fitzwalter road is too fast for such a congested area, and I have seen 2 accidents in the past couple of years. It's also quite frightening trying to cross the 5 way junction, which I have to do frequently.
Reducing speed on residential roads is vital to protecting pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, some residential roads in Sheffield go from 20mph to 40mph to 30mph within 50 metres… better (safer) thought-out speed limits help everyone, drivers included.
I don't feel safe cycling with my kids on 30 mph roads. If an accident happens it could well be fatal. I want my kids to be safe. When driving, I want to have sufficient time to see hazards and to react to everything going on in this congested city with narrow roads and parked cars.
Making roads safer
I live on a bus route The road is not straight and there is on street parking Despite this, many cars do not respect even the 30mph limit Children, elderly, pets and wildlife live around here We too deserve to feel safe on our street with better air quality
Safety. Much improvement for active travel and thus health.
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It needs to feel safer to walk and cycle in Sheffield, this could relieve loads of congestion on the roads, and a 20mph limit more widely would save lives