Criteria applied to decide which roads should be reduced to 20mph.

Summary

The request sought the criteria, decision-making levels, press releases, and consultation processes for the proposed IOM Speed Limits Order 2025. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed the specific 'Place', 'Movement', and 'Road Characteristics' criteria used to determine which roads should be reduced to 20mph, along with the policy purpose and Tynwald resolutions supporting the scheme.

Key Facts

• 20mph limits are considered for roads with high demand for walking/cycling near schools, community facilities, medical centers, or residential/retail areas exceeding 20 properties per km.
• 30mph limits should remain on roads outside town centers, in low-density areas (fewer than 20 properties per km), or where bus journey times would be significantly increased.
• The initiative relies on signage and behavioral change rather than new traffic calming measures.
• The 20mph scheme was approved by Tynwald resolutions in October 2020 and reaffirmed in February 2023.
• Roads lacking footways or where footways are on the opposite side to properties are candidates for 20mph limits.

Data Disclosed

• 20mph
• 30mph
• 20 properties per km
• October 2020
• February 2023
• June 2023
• 11 March 2025
• 3 April 2025
• 4498890

Original Request

With regards to the proposed IOM Speed Limits Order 2025: 1) Please provide the criteria used to decide which roads should be reduced from their existing limit, down to 20mph. 2) At what level within DoI was the initial decision for each road using this criteria made? 3) The DoI Minister has stated that the 20mph scheme has been approved twice by Tynwald resolution, firstly in October 2020, and then again in February 2023. Please provide any press releases made by the DoI about the proposals - in particular about the extent of the scheme, i.e. it affecting the whole of Douglas. 4) In order for DoI to change the speed limit of a road, what consultation process has to take place and who has to be consulted? Many thanks.

Data Tables (1)

Data Tables (reformatted)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 4498890 3 April 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 11 March 2025, which states:

"With regards to the proposed IOM Speed Limits Order 2025:

1) Please provide the criteria used to decide which roads should be reduced from their existing limit, down to 20mph.

2) At what level within DoI was the initial decision for each road using this criteria made?

3) The DoI Minister has stated that the 20mph scheme has been approved twice by Tynwald resolution, firstly in October 2020, and then again in February 2023. Please provide any press releases made by the DoI about the proposals - in particular about the extent of the scheme, i.e. it affecting the whole of Douglas.

4) In order for DoI to change the speed limit of a road, what consultation process has to take place and who has to be consulted?

Many thanks."

Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

1. Criteria that will be considered ‘Place’ Criteria: 20 mph should be considered on sections of primary or distributor roads where there is known demand for walking and cycling, such as: a) Educational – primary school or secondary school or further education. b) Community facility – playing fields etc. c) Medical facility – GP surgeries. d) Residential/Retail – immediately fronting the section of road and exceeds 20 properties per km.

30mph limits should remain on sections of primary and distributor roads:

a) outside city/town/village centers or high streets b) roads outside other high-density areas and away from other places that attract frequent pedestrian and/or cyclist trips c) roads with very low density of housing and/or very few houses altogether (fewer than 20 properties per km) d) roads with residential and retail premises only on one side and no need to cross the road to access services or facilities.

‘Movement’ Criteria: 30mph limits should remain on sections of primary and distributor roads where bus journey times will likely to be increased significantly by introducing a 20-mph speed limit.

Road Characteristics: In terms of ‘road characteristics’, 30mph limits should remain:

a) where there are footways of sufficient width along the road and safe crossings for pedestrians (Puffin/Zebra). b) where there is low demand for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road (e.g. development is only on one side). c) where the road has been designed so that the highway geometry and features support a higher safe speed of 30mph (MfMrs/DRMB). In terms of ‘road characteristics’, 20mph limits should be considered: a) where there no footways along the road or the footway is on the opposite side of the road to the properties (e.g. Ballabeg - Duck Street)

RELATED INFORMATION: In 2020, the Court of Tynwald voted in favour of a motion for the implementation of reduced speed limits on urban and rural roads. This motion was reaffirmed at a sitting of Tynwald in February 2023, summarised below:

a) the default speed limits should be 20mph in residential areas, with priority placed on reviewing areas directly around schools; b) the Department of Infrastructure may, where this is appropriate, apply higher speed limits to some roads in residential areas including distributor roads;
c) our streets should reflect the needs of the people who use them including, but not limited to, their being safe, inclusive and easy to use for all classes of road users; and that the Department of Infrastructure should report to Tynwald with recommendations on implementation of (a) and (b), guided by the principles in (c), for debate at the June 2023 sitting of Tynwald if not sooner.

To enact implementation, the Department of Infrastructure produced the criteria, based upon two key messages, purpose and policy:

i. Purpose • Enhance the quality of life in residential areas by reducing vehicle speeds. • Promote behavioural change among drivers to normalise slower driving in built-up areas. • Align with broader health, environmental and community objectives. • Reinforce the concept of living streets where communities thrive, and streets are safe and inclusive for all. ii. Policy • No new traffic calming measures will be implemented under this initiative. The focus is on signage, public awareness and fostering compliance through behaviour change. • The initiative is not primarily aimed at casualty reduction but rather at creating living streets and enhancing community environments.

1. The criteria was implemented by officers within the Highway Services section of the Department, under the supervision of a Departmental Senior Executive Officer.

2. Prior to the implementation of any Traffic Regulation Order, the Department of Infrastructure must follow a statutory procedure. This includes a requirement to cause notice of the proposal, which is the stage this current all-Island 20mph order is at.
   To clarify, an advert was placed in the Courier newspaper on Friday 7 March 2025 regarding the proposed 20mph residential speed limits. This provides for a 14-day period for the public to make representation or comment on the proposal. This period concludes on the 21 March 2025. An interactive map is available through the Government website, highlighting in detail the extent of the traffic order proposals.

3. Please see answer 3), in addition, The Department has the statutory power under section 23 of the road Traffic Regulation Act 1985 to impose speed limits. Under section 23 subsection (2) the Department may, after consultation with the Chief Constable, by Order, increase, reduce or abolish the speed limit imposed in relation to any road in a town district or village district.

Please quote the reference number 4498890 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.