HC Deb 28 November 1988 vol 142 c163W
64. Mr. Nicholas Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will amend the rules for imposing 30 mph speed restrictions within villages in rural areas.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Wrong limits may lead to a false sense of security and increased danger for residents.

We give guidance, in circulars (roads) 1/80 and 4/83, to highway authorities about the criteria for speed limits. That guidance is advisory. Highway authorities have discretion over speed limits on all local roads. For principal and trunk roads, our aim is to maintain a balance between safety and mobility. Introduction of 30 mph speed limits needs to be matched by enforcement and engineering measures to ensure compliance.