Liberal Democrat's drive to make local roads safer

Hundreds of residents across Wokingham Borough have backed the Liberal Democrat administration's drive to make local roads safer, with a huge response to the council's Safer Streets consultation.

The Liberal Democrat-run council confirmed at July's full Council meeting that 841 members of the public had submitted 1,911 proposals for streets or areas where they believe a safer speed limit is needed, as part of the first phase of its borough-wide review of speed limits. There were also 95 proposals from 15 town and parish councils. These proposals are now being assessed against the council's speed limit policy, and the first new speed limits are expected to be introduced from January 2027 following public consultation - with more to follow.

The public response comes against a worrying backdrop: recently released Department for Transport  figures show 194 collisions on Wokingham's roads in 2025 where one or more people were killed or injured, resulting in 253 casualties — around 5 every week.  The number of injuries classed as serious more than doubled from 2024, with pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists significantly more at risk.

It's exactly why the Liberal Democrats made road safety a priority after taking control of the council, committing to a “Vision Zero” approach – aiming to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries – in the 2025 Local Transport Plan, with around £6 million planned towards changes to improve road safety over the next four years.

Cllr Adrian Betteridge, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Active Travel, Transport and Highways, said the evidence of the benefits of safer speed limits in town and village centres, residential estates and rural minor roads was overwhelming. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle at 30mph is five times more likely to be killed than one struck at 20mph. While Wokingham Borough Council’s proposals are more targeted, changing the default 30mph limit to 20mph in Wales has cut collisions by 22.5% and casualties by 23.8% in its first year. In Oxfordshire, following the introduction of safer speed limits in towns and villages starting in 2021, significant reductions in casualties have been achieved.

Councillor Adrian Betteridge said:

"It's fantastic to see so many residents and parish councils backing our plans to make Wokingham's roads safer by identifying their priorities for change. 41 residents coming forward with almost 2,000 ideas between them shows people want the change we're delivering.

"Road casualty figures for the borough are heading in the wrong direction, especially for people walking and on two wheels, and that's exactly why this Liberal Democrat administration has committed to a Vision Zero approach. Behind every figure is a person killed or seriously injured - life changing for them, their family and friends. We want to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries from the borough’s roads.

"The evidence from Wales, Oxfordshire and other places that have addressed outdated and inappropriate speed limits is clear: these changes save lives. We can't afford to be complacent about road safety, the status quo is not acceptable.

We will continue to work with parish and town councils, who know their area best, and consult with residents as we develop proposed changes.”