Welsh Government to revise guidance on exemptions to 20 mph speed limit

The Welsh Government has signalled a partial climb down from its controversial imposition of a 20mph traffic speed limit.

Newly appointed cabinet secretary for transport Ken Skates has said a “national listening programme” will take place with the 22 local authorities and others to prepare the ground for changes and revised guidance on which local roads can be exempted from the 20mph limit.

Mr Skates said between now and July “we will listen to citizens; to bus drivers, emergency services, the police, to young people, vulnerable people, to businesses and to councillors in county, town and community councils, in order to understand their perspectives on road safety in residential areas". 

The Welsh Government will then revise the exceptions guidance, and from September adjust speed limits where needed.

He said: “As I have already said there is growing consensus on safe speeds in communities that we can build from. We continue to believe 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 principal objective of the policy is to save lives and reduce casualties on our roads. What I am doing now 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.”

The 20mph policy was imposed by the previous administration of first minister Mark Drakeford, who was succeeded last month by Vaughan Gething, who in turn appointed Skates.

Sue Percy, chief executive of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, said: “Speed is a contributor in many road casualties and CIHT believes that the right speeds should be set in the right places. In addition, by reducing speed, the associated energy used is also reduced. UK governments must demonstrate leadership in road safety by showing what ‘right speeds in the right places’ means in practice.”

Mark Smulian