Safe speeds
How speed limits are set and changed
Norfolk County Council are responsible for setting and changing most speed limits in Norfolk
Setting a speed limit
Speed limits across Norfolk are set by Norfolk County Council highways department. This is excluding the A47 and A11 which are the responsibility of National Highways.
When deciding an appropriate speed limit we must follow and consider:
- Legislation
- National guidance
- Road layout
- Junctions
- Collision history
- Roadside environment
- Street lighting
Changing a speed limit
To change the default national speed limit:
- There must be a clear need that aligns with our speed management strategy (PDF, 3 MB)
- We must create a Speed Regulation Order (SRO)
Speed Regulation Orders (SRO)
SROs are part of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).
An SRO:
- Sets the maximum speed for a specific road
- Defines where the limit starts and ends
- Confirm who the limit applies to
- Makes the limit enforceable by law
There are different types of SRO:
- Permanent SRO. These are for long term speed limits.
- Temporary SRO. These are used for road works or for short term safety measures. For example during street works, including work by third parties such as gas, water and electricity companies.
- Experimental SRO. These are used on a trial basis.
The process of creating an SRO involves:
- Following the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
- Consultation and public advertisement
- Sourcing funding. An SRO usually costs at least £10,000 and will depend on individual circumstances.
The timeline for this process varies. A typical SRO process takes around nine months, depending on the number and nature of objections. Temporary limits have a shorter process.
Other ways to influence safe speeds
Lowering speed limits without any other interventions is unlikely to achieve lower speeds.
Lasting improvements need a combination of measures that support and influence safe speeds. For example:
- Education
- Clear messaging
- Enforcement (where appropriate)
