Local transport minister Norman Baker said: "It's vital that speed limits are suitable for local conditions and councils are best placed to determine what these limits are, based on local knowledge and the views of the community, " he said.

BBC: Car and van crash

Also on Monday, the justices voted 6-3 to uphold the Federal Communications Commission's authority to try to speed local government decisions on applications to build or expand cell phone towers.

WSJ: High court to weigh in on legislative prayers

Swindon's council, a member of the partnership, was the first local authority in England to abandon fixed speed cameras the year before.

BBC: Swindon traffic lights to slow speeding drivers