One of the UK’s biggest cities looks set to introduce new 20mph speed restrictions on almost every road, with the new plans slammed by critics. Birmingham City Council has opened a consultation over its new ‘Local Plan’, which details a range of updates to the city, including for transport.

Officials say the plans will prioritise “active travel”, with “walking and cycling” set to become how most people get around the city.

The report warns that “cars will no longer dominate street life around homes and schools” with 20mph “standard on all local roads” in the city. The plan explains that 20mph speeds will “continue to be implemented as part of a gradual rollout”.

It claims that there is a significant body of evidence that proves reducing speeds to 20mph on local roads has a “disproportionately positive impact on the incidence of fatal and serious injuries”.

A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: “Evidence from around the world on slower speed limits is very clear: it reduces collisions, saves lives and reduces injuries – so our message is simple: slower is safer. Slower speeds are less intimidating towards those who walk or cycle, activities that we need to encourage more of if we are to reduce the number of harmful emissions and traffic levels in the city.”

The city council is run by a minority coalition comprising the Liberal Democrats, Green Party, and the Better Birmingham Independent Group. Despite the claims, the policy has been firmly rejected by Reform UK who has blasted the measure as another “anti-motorist” plan.

The party said it would formally oppose plans to introduce 20mph limits across B roads, C roads and unclassified local roads through the Local Plan process.

Cllr Jex Parkin, Leader of Reform UK on Birmingham City Council, said: “This is another anti-motorist policy from a council that seems determined to make getting around Birmingham harder. People already have enough congestion, restrictions and disruption to deal with without another blanket measure being imposed on them.

Read More: UK city to get new 20mph limit on almost every road – first in England