Wales’ 20mph speed limit: £5m for review after backlash

An extra £5m has been allocated to reassess the speed limit on 20mph roads, the Welsh government has announced.

Transport Minister Ken Skates previously said the decision to reverse parts of the controversial £34m default 20mph policy was in response to “consistent” concerns raised by “a lot of people”.

Updated guidance to councils said there was no need to reassess all roads.

The Welsh government said it expected most changes from 20mph to 30mph to be on A and B roads “which are typically main or strategic roads” and “away from places that attract frequent pedestrians”.

The new guidance follows severe backlash to the government’s initial plans, which saw a Senedd petition opposing them reach almost 470,000 signatures – the most ever.

Demonstration were also held, with protesters brandishing banners and placards opposing the plans.

The government said it was now looking to support highways authorities when making decisions on speed limits.

It urges authorities to weigh the pros and cons of raising the speed limit, taking into account factors including distance from amenities, the impact on bus routes, and housing density in the area.

From September, highways authorities will be able to assess speed limits on roads where a change is considered appropriate.

The number of roads reviewed by each authority will vary, depending on the level of feedback.

The Welsh government added local authorities would soon be invited to submit bids for funding to be able to make speed limit changes in line with the new guidance, with an additional £5m made available for this financial year.

Ken Skates, the cabinet secretary for north Wales and transport, said recent data on the number of crashes and casualties in 20mph zones was “encouraging”.

“We have still got a way to go but it shows things are moving in the right direction,” he added.

“By working together and supporting highways authorities to make changes where it is right to do so, I believe we can continue to make 20mph a real success story for Wales.”

Andrew Morgan, leader of Welsh Local Government Association, welcomed the opportunity to re-look at certain roads.

“There will need to be a high level of confidence that, if and where the limit is raised back to 30mph, it will not result in the very risks the policy was designed to mitigate,” he added.