Wiltshire Council has approved a new Speed Limit Policy which it says will make it easier for communities to request 20mph speed limits in suitable locations.
The new policy replaces the council's previous guidance and sets out how decisions on speed limits will be made across the county.
One of the biggest changes is that requests for 20mph limits will no longer have to go through the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG). Instead, they will be assessed by Wiltshire Council's Traffic Engineering Team.
The council says 20mph limits will generally be considered in residential areas, town centres, village centres and other places where there are high numbers of people walking or cycling.
Wiltshire Council will pay for the assessment, any traffic surveys that are needed and the legal process involved in introducing a new speed limit. If a scheme is approved, town and parish councils will still be expected to fund measures such as signs and road markings.
The policy also makes clear that lowering a speed limit isn't always the best solution. In some cases, other measures such as traffic calming, new crossings, warning signs or police enforcement may be more appropriate.
For roads with speed limits of 30mph or above, decisions will continue to take into account factors such as collision history, traffic speeds, road layout and local concerns.
Councillor Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, said the policy provides a clearer approach to setting speed limits and will make it easier for communities to understand how requests are considered.
He added that making it simpler to introduce 20mph limits in suitable locations would help improve road safety while supporting walking and cycling.
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