After facing widespread criticism, the Welsh government has announced revisions to its £34 million default 20mph policy, with some roads set to revert back to a 30mph speed limit.
Transport Secretary Ken Skates acknowledged the concerns raised by numerous individuals and communities and emphasized the need for corrective action.
The decision to amend the policy comes in response to a significant backlash, including a petition with nearly half a million signatures opposing the initiative. While the 20mph policy had garnered support from certain groups, including cyclists, its implementation was met with widespread skepticism and calls for adjustments.
Mr. Skates highlighted the necessity of targeting 20mph zones specifically in areas such as school zones and residential neighborhoods, but acknowledged that some roads were included erroneously. The upcoming changes will grant individual councils the authority to restore speed limits to 30mph where deemed appropriate, allowing for flexibility in response to local needs and preferences.
While some, like Swansea council leader Rob Stewart, welcomed the pragmatic approach taken by the Welsh government, concerns were raised about the financial burden of reverting roads back to 30mph. Mr. Skates assured that the costs would not fall solely on local authorities, recognizing the challenging financial circumstances they face.
The controversial 20mph policy was introduced in September as a measure to enhance road safety, but its implementation has faced criticism for its perceived inconsistency and impracticality. While the intention behind the policy remains laudable, the need for a more balanced and targeted approach has become evident.
Political responses to the policy revision varied, with the Welsh Conservatives calling for its outright scrapping and Plaid Cymru urging for a comprehensive review and improvement of its implementation. The forthcoming changes aim to address the shortcomings of the initial policy rollout while striving to maintain road safety standards across Wales. Photo by 20mph speed limit sign, Aberdovey by Jaggery, Wikimedia commons.