North Northamptonshire Council Executive set to receive new Speed Management Policy to improve road safety

07 April 2026

The council’s Executive look set to approve a new, North Northamptonshire wide, Speed Management Policy, which sets out a clear and consistent approach to how speed limits are assessed, set and managed.

The draft policy brings together all existing speed management practices into a single policy. 

The policy aims to improve transparency and provide clarity around how the council manages speed limits and road safety. It supports vulnerable road users and enhances community wellbeing and follows national guidance on setting local speed limits. 

Key elements of the Policy include:

• An evidence-led approach to setting local speed limits
• Clear guidance for 20mph zones and limits, with a focus on areas where vulnerable users - particularly around schools - are most at risk.
• A structured process for reviewing speed limits
• Support for community initiatives, such as Community Speed Watch and the option for town and parish councils to self-purchase Vehicle Activated Signs 
• An emphasis on self-explaining roads - roads that use design rather than relying solely on traditional signs or enforcement to help with driver behaviour.
• Consistency with national legislation
• Links to the council’s Network Management Plan and associated road safety measures and initiatives.

Once adopted, the policy will be published on the council’s website along with updated guidance for communities wishing to request speed limit reviews. The new policy also looks to work with Councillors to ensure they are more aware of Speed Review Panel meetings and how they can present a case. 

If approved, this new policy will help ensure that speed limits across North Northamptonshire are clear, consistent and evidence based.

By bringing our approach together into one place, we can better support communities, improve safety - particularly for vulnerable road users - and work more effectively with our partners, including Northamptonshire Police. This is an important step in making our roads safer and our towns and villages more pleasant places to live and travel through.Cllr Chris McGiffen, the council’s Executive Member for Highways and Travel

North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive will meet on Tuesday 14 April at 10am at the Corby Cube and the papers are now available online. The meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube.