Data supporting IOM 20mph limit

Summary

The requester asked for data supporting a blanket 20mph speed limit across the Isle of Man and why it was not applied location-by-location. The Department of Infrastructure responded that no blanket approach was taken, instead providing specific criteria used to determine speed limits based on place, movement, and road characteristics.

Key Facts

• Tynwald reaffirmed in February 2023 that 20mph should be the default speed limit in residential areas.
• The Department of Infrastructure clarified that a 'blanket' approach was not used; limits are determined by specific criteria.
• Primary and Distributor roads generally remain 30mph unless specific place or movement criteria indicate otherwise.
• Access and Local Access roads in urban areas are generally set to 20mph unless criteria support a 30mph limit.
• Criteria for maintaining 30mph include low housing density (fewer than 20 properties per km) and significant bus journey time impacts.

Data Disclosed

• February 2023
• 20mph
• 30mph
• 20 properties per km
• 25 April 2025
• 19 May 2025
• 4614781

Original Request

Please provide the data and conclusions supporting an IOM wide blanket urban 20mph speed rerstriction and why this has not been applied on a location by location basis.

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: 4614781 19 May 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 25 April 2025, which states:

"Please provide the data and conclusions supporting an IOM wide blanket urban 20mph speed rerstriction and why this has not been applied on a location by location basis."

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

Below is the series of criteria used to assess the introduction of a 20mph speed limit within a residential area; the assumption a ‘blanket’ approach was taken for this determination therefore being incorrect.

Setting 20mph speed limits in residential areas In February 2023 Tynwald reaffirmed that: 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.

Assumption Most Primary and Distributor roads in urban areas will remain 30 mph, unless the following criteria indicate the appropriateness of a 20 mph speed limit. Most Access roads and Local Access roads in urban areas will be made 20 mph, unless the following criteria indicate the appropriateness of a 30 mph speed limit.

Criteria for consideration: (i) 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 centres 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.

(ii) Movement Criteria 30mph limits should remain on sections of primary and distributor roads where bus journey times will likely be increased significantly by introducing a 20 mph speed limit.

(iii) 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 (MfMR / DMRB).

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

Please quote the reference number 4614781 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

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If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.

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I will now close your request as of this date.