# UK Speed Limits - Editing Guidelines and Tips
**URL:** https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730
**Category:** United Kingdom
**Created:** [February 1, 2016, 11:53pm UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730 "2016-02-01T23:53:13Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 4
### Author:  [@Timbones](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/Timbones)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2016, 7:12pm UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/61 "2016-03-29T19:12:33Z")
You can find the full list of counties (and unitary authorities and metropolitan districts) that are defined within Waze here: [https://wiki.waze.com/wiki/United\_Kingdom/Counties](https://wiki.waze.com/wiki/United_Kingdom/Counties)
This definition is not up for discussion š
Any counties not mentioned in my post will currently have less than 50% of speed limits verified. Itās a long list of about 100 names, so I did not include it.
We can either get each and every county up to 70%, or we can get 70% of counties up to 100%. It is the national coverage that Waze are tracking.
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### Author:  [@hublander](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/hublander)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2016, 6:01am UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/62 "2016-03-30T06:01:02Z")
Greater London I am guess North East London is up to 70%/100% since it is only the locked Roads that are left. š
At the moment I have 2 days worth of editing rights in Liverpool so I will get some more 20mph areas done there. š
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### Author:  [@PealRinger](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/PealRinger)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2016, 8:17pm UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/63 "2016-03-30T20:17:34Z")
> [@](#):
>
> it is desirable to have accurate mapping of the real worldā¦
ā¦ apart from turn lanes, one-way 'Yās, car parks, ā¦ š
> [@Timbones](#):
>
> Guidelines for Speed Limits:
>
> - Split segments at the exact point the speed limit comes into force
> (unless itās within a few hundred yards of a T junction where traffic will be slowing down anyway)
My 2p:
I think exact mapping is fine where the speed limit changes on a single section of road, but I do think we have to be careful with speed limit changes at or close to junctions and roundabouts. Adding a node and thereby creating a new short segment where there are filter lanes in place for example, has the potential to affect the segment times and eta accuracy because of the way Waze records separate speed data for each direction in which traffic leaves a segment.
It is also worth noting that at junctions, the exact point the speed limit comes into force is not necessary the exact point at which the sign is located. Quite often the TRO will apply to the whole street, but the sign is located some metres along the road i.e. on the first convenient lamppost. I believe the recommendation in the Traffic Signs Manual is a max of 20 metres.
Perhaps the exception in the guidelines should therefore just say;
(unless itās within 20 metres of a junction)
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### Author:  [@ditchi56](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/ditchi56)
#### Post date: [April 8, 2016, 11:41am UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/64 "2016-04-08T11:41:40Z")
Iād go with 20m as the guide - i.e. only split a segment if thereās no end already within 20m.
But please do split segments where it is necessary. Itās not just a question of showing the correct speed limit to the driver (which as noted above, wonāt change in exactly the right place anyway because the app/GPS lags). It also helps editors if the limit changes on the map in the same place as street-view shows it. Not so much for setting the first time, as when we come to look at URās complaining about the speed limit being wrong.
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### Author:  [@fma965](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/fma965)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2016, 1:53pm UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/65 "2016-04-15T13:53:34Z")
I am working on speed limits for St Austell, Cornwall iām new to this so i will need to research how to do it properly but so far i have done a couple roads local to my house.
But i see that some small roads are locked and yet donāt have a speedlimit set, how can i go about sorting this? i drive this road every day to work and back.
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### Author:  [@ditchi56](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/ditchi56)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2016, 2:44pm UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/66 "2016-04-15T14:44:01Z")
> [@Fma965](#):
>
> I am working on speed limits for St Austell, Cornwall iām new to this so i will need to research how to do it properly but so far i have done a couple roads local to my house.
>
> But i see that some small roads are locked and yet donāt have a speedlimit set, how can i go about sorting this? i drive this road every day to work and back.
Welcome!
The more important roads are ālockedā to prevent routing being damaged by inexperienced editors. Of course this is a balance, Waze needs editors, and you can only get experience by editing. Most roads, by distance if not by traffic usage, are unlocked.
When speed limits came along, we did ask HQ if the rules could be tweaked so that an unverified speed limit could be confirmed or changed by anyone, irrespective of editor or lock level. But no joy there.
Weāre happy to unlock roads so that you can set the speed limits, just post to the [UK Editor Requests forum](https://www.waze.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=375). Read the top topic first (especially the bit about "permalink"s), or just see some other posts for examples. Please remember to post again when youāve set the limits so that the locks can be restored.
There are a couple of scripts which help edit speed limits. [Speedhelper](https://wiki.waze.com/wiki/Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools#WME_Speedhelper) makes it easy to set the speed limits, and [Color (sic) Speeds](https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=819&t=167387) helps you see which ones are missing.
If you want to edit beyond speed limits (and I hope you do - Cornwall has been rather neglected), please see the [advice in the Wiki](https://www.waze.com/wiki/UK_Quickstart). Any questions, just ask on this forum.
Have fun,
Ian
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### Author:  [@BaldIbis](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/BaldIbis)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2016, 9:26pm UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/67 "2016-04-17T21:26:47Z")
> [@theC3lt](#):
>
> Some of the roads in Norwich have the wrong speed limit set.
Your comments are noted; when Iāve finished doing Bathās 20 mph zones Iāll start reviewing Norwich.
Martyn
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### Author:  [@BaldIbis](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/BaldIbis)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2016, 9:35pm UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/68 "2016-04-17T21:35:31Z")
I have two related questions I canāt see addressed anywhere in this thread.
1. What actually defines when a segment is classified as Verified. Is it a relationship between; road type /Speed limit and editors level?
2. When I find unverified segments but can establish the correct limit, can I then verify even if the original editor was a higher level.
Thanks - Martyn
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### Author:  [@Timbones](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/Timbones)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2016, 11:35pm UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/69 "2016-04-17T23:35:34Z")
> [@BaldIbis](#):
>
> 1. What actually defines when a segment is classified as Verified. Is it a relationship between; road type /Speed limit and editors level?
> 2. When I find unverified segments but can establish the correct limit, can I then verify even if the original editor was a higher level.
Speed limits which have not been Verified were put in automatically by Waze, based on the speeds they observed along the road. Anyone can verify or change the speed limit for a segment, unless itās locked as per the usual editing restrictions.
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### Author:  [@Timbones](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/Timbones)
#### Post date: [May 1, 2016, 7:52pm UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/70 "2016-05-01T19:52:52Z")
[Post #2](https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=176406&p=1320073#p1320073) Updated with the latest statistics and heatmap.
Waze are keen to make speed limits public very soon, but Iāll have to tell them weāre not quite ready yet.
Some key cities that need more speed limits on A roads are: Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Middlesborough, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberbeen. There are also some long distance routes in the South-West, Midlands and Scotland that could do with be added too. If any local editors or country managers are able to tackle one of these areas, that would be a big help.
:ugeek:
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### Author:  [@Timbones](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/Timbones)
#### Post date: [May 3, 2016, 2:51pm UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/71 "2016-05-03T14:51:48Z")
In case anyone hasnāt seen these yet, here are two community apps for submitting speed limit reports directly from your phone while driving. These reports will appear on the map as URs, with some useful information:
[https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=819&t=182751](https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=819&t=182751) (Web App)
[https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=819&t=184699](https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=819&t=184699) (Android App)
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### Author:  [@hublander](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/hublander)
#### Post date: [May 3, 2016, 9:15pm UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/72 "2016-05-03T21:15:21Z")
Today I had to go to the NHS Walk in centre to see a doctor in Harold Wood. Now this is a new housing estate. It looks like they have changed the speed limit since I am sure it use to be set to 20mph. Now Most of the estate has the road signs shown in the picture. The picture was taken at this [location](https://www.waze.com/en-GB/editor/?env=row&lon=0.22732&lat=51.59358&zoom=6&segments=272112037)
Now a speed limit of 9mph reminds me of the Tate and Lyle Sugars site speed limit which was 13mph. Now you say why 13mph? They did want 10mph but found that the forklift trucks which did not have speedometers and traveled at 12mph. Now I do remember seeing the man with a speed gun enforcing this limit with a speed gun. š
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### Author:  [@Twister-UK](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/Twister-UK)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2016, 6:34am UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/73 "2016-05-04T06:34:59Z")
[http://www.standard.co.uk/news/travelnews/bizarre-9mph-road-signs-confuse-motorists-in-east-london-a2955381.html](http://www.standard.co.uk/news/travelnews/bizarre-9mph-road-signs-confuse-motorists-in-east-london-a2955381.html)
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### Author:  [@Challenger3802](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/Challenger3802)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2016, 7:38am UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/74 "2016-05-04T07:38:10Z")
> [@Timbones](#):
>
> In case anyone hasnāt seen these yet, here are two community apps for submitting speed limit reports directly from your phone while driving. These reports will appear on the map as URs, with some useful information:
>
> [https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=819&t=182751](https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=819&t=182751) (Web App)
> [https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=819&t=184699](https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=819&t=184699) (Android App)
Well the Android version downloads okay - as long as you enable third party appās to install - only time will tell if it is successful on drives. I look forward to using it on the move.
Ian
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### Author:  [@hublander](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/hublander)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2016, 12:25pm UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/75 "2016-05-04T12:25:08Z")
> [@Twister-UK](#):
>
> [http://www.standard.co.uk/news/travelnews/bizarre-9mph-road-signs-confuse-motorists-in-east-london-a2955381.html](http://www.standard.co.uk/news/travelnews/bizarre-9mph-road-signs-confuse-motorists-in-east-london-a2955381.html)
Thanks Chris
This reminds me of the time my Uncle who was in Lived in New York told me about something that happened down the end of my road. He may be thousands of miles away but he reads the local paper online. š
So 9 mph is a valid speed limit then since if you donāt set a 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70mph waze says it is not a valid speed limit. š
I am just glad I walked since I was travelling at 3 mph. š
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### Author:  [@atrophicshiner](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/atrophicshiner)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2016, 1:58pm UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/76 "2016-05-04T13:58:36Z")
> [@hublander](#):
>
> So 9 mph is a valid speed limit then since if you donāt set a 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70mph waze says it is not a valid speed limit. š
Valid maybe, but Iām assuming this is not an adopted highway otherwise the local authority have to be involved. If private land then the speed limit can be anything random.
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### Author:  [@hublander](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/hublander)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/77 "2016-05-04T15:50:51Z")
> [@atrophicshiner](#):
>
> Valid maybe, but Iām assuming this is not an adopted highway otherwise the local authority have to be involved. If private land then the speed limit can be anything random.
The trouble is that the Road traffic Act changed a few years ago so Private/ Unadopted roads still comes under the road traffic act. People with no Tax or other problems with there car would argue about being on Private Land. But now if you can drive straight on to the Private Land then the Road Traffic Act applies so speed limits in car parks and the driving the correct way round a car park applies. š
So I would like to see the argument if somebody got caught speeding here. š
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### Author:  [@Timbones](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/Timbones)
#### Post date: [May 8, 2016, 11:27am UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/78 "2016-05-08T11:27:53Z")
Iāve initiated a map raid to get our speed limits verified on the nationās highways:
[https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=188404](https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=188404)
Go! :ugeek:
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### Author:  [@PealRinger](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/PealRinger)
#### Post date: [May 9, 2016, 2:46pm UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/79 "2016-05-09T14:46:12Z")
> [@Timbones](#):
>
> Advisory limits on sharp bends should not be mapped. Only legal signs with red borders (or NSL)
There are several other types of advisory limits so Iām assuming that the same rules apply.
Signs Iāve come across:
- 20 in green roundel (common in Scotland)
- āTwentyās Plentyā near schools - often featuring a childās artwork.
- Crossroads or dangerous junction - similar to sharp bend signs
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### Author:  [@Twister-UK](https://www.waze.com/discuss/u/Twister-UK)
#### Post date: [May 9, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://www.waze.com/discuss/t/uk-speed-limits-editing-guidelines-and-tips/201730/80 "2016-05-09T16:21:08Z")
> [@PealRinger](#):
>
> There are several other types of advisory limits so Iām assuming that the same rules apply.
> Signs Iāve come across:
>
> - 20 in green roundel (common in Scotland)
> - āTwentyās Plentyā near schools - often featuring a childās artwork.
> - Crossroads or dangerous junction - similar to sharp bend signs
The first and third on your list are definitely advisory and should be ignored when setting limits in WME. The second type is also advisory except where the sign also contains a 20 in a red roundelā¦
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