New 20mph speed limit guidance published

The Welsh Government has issued new guidance and allocated £5 million to help councils reassess the speed limit on 20mph roads.

It follows a public backlash when the Government initially introduced the lower speed limit, with a petition opposing the plan hitting almost 470,000.

Cllr Andrew Morgan, Leader of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and its transport spokesperson, said: “We welcome the way the cabinet secretary has engaged with councils to review the original guidance and enable councils to relook at some sections of strategic routes, including bus routes.

“These are not easy decisions for councils and safety remains our priority. 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.”

The guidance provides a framework to support highways authorities to make the right decisions for local roads – particularly when those calls are finely balanced.

It prioritises 20mph limits where pedestrians and cyclists frequently mix with vehicles unless strong evidence supports that higher speeds are safe.

Transport secretary Ken Skates said: “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.”