Southampton City Council has been criticised for its “cynical” behaviour after promising to revert 20mph zones back to 30mph last year, with no date in sight for when the speed limit will change.

Prior to the local elections in May 2024, leader of Southampton City Council, Lorna Fielker, announced plans to bump parts of Hill Lane, Paynes Road, Romsey Road and Shirley Road to their original 30mph speed limit, from the 20mph zones they’d been converted to in 2022.

Despite the announcement being made more than a year ago, with the council stating plans to increase the speed limit in the selected roads would “be implemented at the earliest opportunity,” conservative councillor, Jeremy Moulton, accused the council of “forgetting” their pledge.

Cllr Jeremy MoultonCllr Jeremy Moulton (Image: Cllr Jeremy Moulton) Speaking to the Echo, the deputy leader of the conservative party in Southampton, said: “I think all of Hill Lane, the Paynes Road, Service Road and the whole stretch from Foyes Corner to Winchester Road along Shirley Road, Shirley High Street and Romsey Road should be 30mph and that is what I submitted to the council consultation.

READ MORE: Hill Lane, Shirley High Street to go to 30mph

“It makes sense to have a consistent speed limit rather than chopping and changing.

“The labour council leader promised to change the speed limits back over a year ago.

“She announced it right before the last local election and as soon as the election was over, she forgot about it or kicked it into the long grass. People have a right to be cross at this cynical behaviour.”

When approached by the Echo for comment, the council an announcement would be made “in the coming weeks,” for when the new speed limit would come into effect.

Cllr Eamonn KeoghCllr Eamonn Keogh (Image: Cristiano Magaglio) In a statement, councillor Eamonn Keogh, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “The revisions to the speed limits were the subject of a traffic regulation order consultation in December 2024 and January 2025.

“Since then, we have been analysing the feedback received from local people.

“We are currently working with our Highways partner, Balfour Beatty Living Places, to programme in the signage changes required to support the amended speed limits and we will confirm when the speed limits will officially change in the coming weeks.”

The revisions to the speed limits will affect:

  • Hill Lane, between its junctions with Burgess Road and Bellemoor Road
  • Romsey Road, between the crossroads with Teboura Way and Winchester Road and the junction with Anglesea Road
  • Shirley Road, between its junctions with Millbrook Road East and Howard Road,
  • Paynes Road, from its junction with Waterloo Road to its junction with Millbrook Road West