Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Opponents of the Welsh Government’s new 20mph law are being invited to sign a petition against it at the shadow transport minister’s office.

Conservative MS Natasha Asghar, who represents the South Wales East region in the Senedd, has opened her Newport office so angry residents can arrange an appointment to sign the petition in person.

Since Sunday September 17, Wales is now one of the few countries in the world to have a default 20mph speed limit in residential and busy pedestrian areas.

However, the Welsh Government policy has drawn fierce criticism, with the petition opposing it having been signed by more than 444,000 people.

Ms Asghar, who labelled the move a “madcap policy” in her recent blog for Caerphilly Observer, said it was “clear from looking at the ever-growing petition and speaking to residents and businesses” that residents didn’t want the rule “imposed on them”.

Ms Asghar continued: “Many residents have told me they’d love to sign the online petition but can’t for various reasons so that’s why I have decided to put some physical copies in my office which people can come along and sign – and have a chat at the same time about any issues they might have.”

She added: “We need to send a clear message to this Labour Government that there is absolutely no appetite for their 20mph project which will deliver a £9billion blow to the Welsh economy, slow emergency services down and impact people’s livelihoods.”

The Welsh Government has said reducing the speed limit on many roads from 30mph to 20mph will make streets safer, encourage people to walk and cycle, improve health and wellbeing, as well as protecting the environment.

Before the changes were introduced, around 2.5% of roads in Wales had 20mph limits. This has now risen to 35%. However, not all 30mph zones are affected.

The decision on which roads will be affected was made by councils.The Welsh Government says reducing the speed limit could result in:

• 40% fewer collisions;
• Between six and ten lives being saved every year;
• Between 1,200 and 2,000 fewer people getting injured every year.

This week in the Senedd, the Welsh Conservatives put forward a vote of no confidence in the man behind the 20mph law – deputy climate change minister Lee Waters. However, no other parties backed the vote, which failed by 42 votes to 16.