North Wales MS slams new 20mph speed limits

Speed limits in built-up areas will be reduced from 30mph to 20mph in Wales from next year.

Ministers say a 20mph limit will lower road collisions and noise and encourage people to walk or cycle.

The Welsh Parliament passed the law in a vote on Tuesday afternoon.

It was backed by Labour and Plaid Cymru but opposed by the Welsh Conservatives, who said the blanket rollout is "ludicrous".

Sam Rowlands MS for North Wales says the introduction of 20mph on restricted roads is a backward step for Wales and will have a dangerous impact.

Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Rowlands, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Local Government urged fellow members to vote against the Restricted Roads (20mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022.

He said: “We certainly support letting our councils put 20 mph speed limits outside schools, hospitals and other areas. But this blanket approach across urban roads in Wales, without recognising the vast differences in our communities, seems to me like a knee-jerk reaction. 

“This may work in city centres where there is good infrastructure, good public transport in place, but many of our villages and towns that are linked by 30 mph roads at the moment simply do not have that same transport system, the same connectivity, the same infrastructure, it is nothing like Cardiff, it is nothing like Swansea. These rural villages and towns are going to be suffering because of this. 

“The Welsh Government's currently trialling this scheme across areas in Wales, including,  Buckley in North Wales, where I met with residents and local representatives last week. They highlighted a number of issues. They believe they see a higher level of pollution, observed more accidents and more delays. They also feel that Government have not been listening to them and to their concerns through this process. 

“They are concerned about the level of pollution, because what they observe is cars and drivers having to drive in a lower gear, churning out more fumes. They have seen more accidents, because they believe they have seen more drivers distracted with having to try and live within this new speed limit. 

“In terms of the cost,  we are talking about £33 million, I am sure that that could be better spent on employing more teachers, doctors and nurses here in Wales. Along with this, there is real concern that there is going to be a massive impact on business and the economy as well. 

“A constituent wrote to me and said, and I quote, 'Drivers checking their speed constantly, not giving their full attention to road conditions, as well as impatient drivers trying to overtake will make the roads more dangerous, not less.' 

“It is clear the Welsh Government has not properly consulted with those who have undergone this trial and it has caused real anger across many of our communities and it simply hasn't worked and won't work. It could have a dangerous impact and is a backwards step in how we go about our daily lives in Wales.”