Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance is provided to local authorities on setting reduced speed limits in rural areas; and whether he plans to increase the powers available to local authorities to introduce speed limit zones in rural communities.

Guidance for local authorities on setting reduced speed limits, including in rural areas, is provided through the Department for Transport’s Setting Local Speed Limits guidance. This makes clear that local traffic authorities may introduce speed limits below the national limit where local conditions justify it, based on factors such as road layout, safety considerations and the character of the area.

The Road Safety Strategy published on 7 January 2026 committed to update current guidance on local speed limits and speed‑camera use.