Welsh Government Plans to Repeal 20 MPH Blanket Speed Limit

July 17, 2024 TruthUSA

With 500,000 signatures, a petition set a record in Senedd history after the implementation of new speed limits last September.

The Welsh government is planning to remove the blanket 20mph speed restrictions that were imposed a year ago.

Originally introduced by the Labour-led Welsh government, the 20mph speed limit applied to all restricted roads, making Wales the first nation to do so.

However, new guidelines were released on Wednesday, allowing highway authorities to assess the safety and appropriateness of potentially increasing the speed limit to 30mph starting in September.

While the focus will still be on 20mph limits in areas where pedestrians and cyclists share the roads with vehicles, higher speeds may be considered with strong evidence to support safety.

Local councils can apply for a portion of an extra £5 million available this fiscal year to implement speed limit changes.

Prior to September, only 2.5 percent of Welsh roads had a 20mph limit, but this increased to 35 percent, covering 7,700 miles. An “Enforcement Strategy” has been agreed upon by the government, the police, and the Wales speed camera agency, GoSafe, to monitor drivers’ speeds.

The public, along with senior Labour MPs, criticized the drastic change in speed limits. Last year, Sir Chris Bryant expressed concerns on the BBC’s “Question Time,” calling the policy “really difficult” and “frankly bonkers” in some areas.

Critical Change

The Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Transport disclosed to The Epoch Times that the scheme was revoked following the submission of a record-breaking petition to the Senedd in May.

Natasha Asghar, Welsh Conservative shadow minister for Transport, stated to The Epoch Times via email that while she acknowledges “that Labour and the Cabinet secretary seem to be taking the public’s views on board regarding the 20mph limit, it is unclear who will oversee these changes and how quickly they will be enacted.”

She pointed out that “there is a strong desire for immediate change in direction regarding this policy, with nearly 500,000 individuals signing the record-breaking petition—the largest in the history of the Welsh Parliament—to repeal the 20mph scheme.”

“Councils, already extremely strained due to Labour’s financial cutbacks, will face the aftermath of the chaotic 20mph policy that has cost £33 million to establish and is predicted to incur a £9 billion loss for our economy,” she added.

“With £5 million now earmarked for local councils to apply for funding, and lacking a definitive timeline, this only adds to public frustration.”

Ken Skates, the Cabinet secretary for north Wales and transportation, commented in a statement accompanying the announcement that “the latest data on collisions in Wales and the decrease in casualties are promising. While there is more progress to be made, it indicates a positive trend.”

Skates added, “By collaborating and aiding highway authorities in making appropriate changes, I believe we can continue to build on the success story of the 20mph speed limit in Wales.”

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