Welsh Parliament discuss potential U-turn on blanket 20mph speed restriction in built-up areas

Some Welsh roads could have their speed limits altered following public outcry against the blanket 20mph restrictions in built up areas imposed last year.   

Speaking in Welsh Parliament (Senedd) on April 23, Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, Ken Skates (Lab) told fellow members that: “We will listen, work in partnership with councils and support delivery of targeted change on the ground.

“The Welsh Government continues to believe that 20mph is the right speed limit in places such as near schools, hospitals, nurseries, community centres, play areas and in built-up residential areas,” the Minister continued.

“What I am now doing is listening to what people want for the roads in their communities, and pressing ahead with refining the policy and getting the right speed on the right roads. To achieve this, we are initiating a number of actions.”

Previously described by Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak as an “attack on motorists”, the £32 million legislation to lower speed limits in residential and built-up areas across the country was initially introduced in September 2023.  

The project had forecast £92 million in annual prevention savings, as well as a reduction of nine road fatalities and up to 98 serious injuries per year. However, the move was heavily criticised, with a petition calling for the scrappage of the scheme gaining almost half a million signatures.  

Skates’ comments in parliament were also criticised by Natasha Asghar of the Welsh Conservative Party, who responded by saying: “Whilst I’m genuinely delighted to see the Cabinet Secretary has come round to the Welsh Conservative way of thinking with a targeted approach, for me personally it doesn’t go far enough.

“We do need to see the Government return Wales’s default speed limit to 30mph with exceptions made for 20mph rather than the other way round.”

Tony Campbell, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) commented: “Finally the Welsh Government sees sense in reviewing the 20mph speed limit reverting back to 30mph.  

“Whilst I am sure there was some evidence to say it made roads safer, riding any form of motorcycle at such slow speeds is not easy and therefore may have made riding a scooter or motorcycle more dangerous.”     

During the parliamentary proceedings, Skates outlined a three-stage plan, with revised guidance promised by summer of this year.

He claimed conversation will be held with several relevant authorities to establish where changes should be made to support motorists, whilst maintaining the Government’s principal objective to “enable people to feel safer in their communities through reducing collisions.”