A new programme aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries on local roads could see more 20mph speed limits introduced across Gloucestershire.
At a cabinet meeting on 18 March, members of Gloucestershire County Council will be asked to approve the Safer Roads and Community 20s programme, which outlines how lower speed limits could be rolled out in towns, villages and neighbourhoods where there is strong local backing.
The initiative also includes targeted safety improvements on higher-risk rural roads as part of a wider effort to make the county’s transport network safer.
Council leaders say the programme aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries while creating streets that feel safer and more welcoming for residents.
Lower speeds are widely recognised as reducing both the likelihood and severity of collisions. In residential areas, 20mph limits can also encourage walking, wheeling and cycling by making roads safer for children travelling to school and older residents staying active.
The council has already secured almost £2.8 million in funding to begin delivering the scheme, with the first projects expected to start in 2026/27. Plans propose a phased four-year rollout, prioritising areas with the greatest road safety concerns.
Councillor Lisa Spivey, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said the programme would take a practical and evidence-led approach.
“Keeping people safe on our roads is one of our biggest priorities,” she said.
“This programme will allow us to introduce 20mph limits in communities that want them and where they will make the biggest difference to safety.
“This is a practical, evidence-led approach that focuses on reducing serious injuries and deaths while working closely with local communities.”
Interest in the scheme has already been strong, with more than 150 parish councils and unparished areas in Gloucester and Cheltenham expressing interest in taking part.
Under the programme, each community will be consulted and provided with local information about traffic speeds and collision records before any formal decisions are made.
Alongside community-supported 20mph zones, the council will continue to introduce targeted road safety measures at locations where collision data shows people are most at risk. These could include further speed reductions or physical changes to road layouts.
Although casualty numbers have fallen since the council set a target to halve deaths and serious injuries on Gloucestershire’s roads between 2022 and 2032, figures show 1,125 people were involved in road traffic collisions in the county last year.
Council leaders say the new programme will help sustain progress while addressing ongoing risks on the road network.
If approved by cabinet, officers will move forward with detailed engagement with communities and finalise the first year of projects.