Leading data and analysis suggests that roads which are limited to 20mph speed are safer and have fewer accidents, but a leading government minister has criticised their introduction.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, the UK’s Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency is certainly a politician who would divide opinion on a number of issues, and it’s unlikely that speed limits in Britain are part of his portfolio. However, after plans were made to introduce a 20mph speed limit in his village in West Harptree, Rees-Mogg has spoken out against them.

“20mph limits are ridiculous,” Rees-Mogg said in the Sunday Times Magazine.

“They simply obstruct the flow of traffic. People are in favour of them when they are proposed, and later realise how annoying they are.

“It’s a microcosm of politics generally: opinion polls suggest something would be popular and once you put it into practice it isn’t.

“People should be free to lead their own lives as far as possible without Government interference.”

Research has proven that 20mph zones, which often include traffic calming measures such as speed bumps and road narrowing, have fewer pedestrian injuries and less traffic overall. Someone is much less likely to be killed if hit by a car travelling at 20mph than 30mph.

There are currently 50 miles of 20mph road restrictions in London, with a plan by Transport for London to increase that to 127 miles by 2024. The Welsh government is also targeting many more 20mph areas in residential and urban areas by this time next year.

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