Which 20mph roads should revert back to 30mph? Let the council know

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Last month, Wales’ transport secretary Ken Skates confirmed a review of the country’s controversial default 20mph speed limit.

The policy has not been popular with the public since it was introduced in September last year.

Nearly half a million people signed a record-breaking Senedd petition calling for it to be scrapped. The petition is to be debated by Senedd Members later today.

In light of public anger, Mr Skates said last month that new guidance will be issued to councils on how they decide which roads should be 30mph. In the meantime, he has urged people to get in touch with their local authority if they feel a road should not be 20mph.

It is clear the intended outcome of the policy has been mishandled, with Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge describing it as “folly of the highest order”.

Caerphilly MS Hefin David has also been critical of the way it has been implemented.

In an article published by Nation.Cymru he said: “When the policy was being designed under the authority of the previous transport minister Lee Waters, we were told that there was only one practical way to introduce it. That was setting a default 20mph limit on 30mph roads then handing responsibility to local authorities to add exemptions where appropriate.

“Several of us in the Labour Senedd group, while supportive of the principle of extended 20mph zones, had concerns about this approach to its introduction. However, we weren’t party to government level discussions with highway authorities and were assured that the 22 local councils would have complete freedom to make changes that were within the deliberately broad guidelines.”

He continued: “I can identify a number of roads in my constituency that are 20mph but, by common agreement, really should be 30. I can also identify a few that are 60mph but should be 20… That these remain unaddressed clearly shows that the policy isn’t working as it should.”

Dr David is now encouraging people to contact Caerphilly County Borough Council with their views on what limits should be on which roads. This is ahead of new Welsh Government guidelines being published by July, which should see 20mph targeted at schools, hospitals, nurseries, community centres, play areas and built-up residential areas.

Dr David said: “Twenty miles per hour is not appropriate in all areas where it has been applied. There have been a number of roads raised with me that I do think should see exemption, such as roads on some industrial estates.

“This consultation process is all about finding the correct balance between pedestrian safety and also, practical motoring.”

Opposition Senedd Members have said the review does not go far enough and want to see it scrapped altogether.

South Wales East MS Natasha Asghar, who is the Conservatives’ shadow transport minister, has long opposed the 20mph rollout.

She said: “Labour’s barmy 20mph speed limit sadly looks like it is here to stay and regardless of Labour’s recent PR tour claiming things will change it is apparent that nothing will change.

“That is why today, I look forward to standing up for the people of Wales in the Senedd when the 20mph speed limit petition, that has reached nearly half a million signatures, will be debated.”

Visit Caerphilly Council’s website to have your say on where the 20mph should be implemented.