The new slower speed limits are currently being trialled in eight communities across Wales and will be rolled out nationally in September 2023, making it the first nation to impose it as the default on all restricted roads.
Speed Limits
However, the opposition Conservative Shadow Minister called it “yet another diktat imposed by Labour from Cardiff Bay.”Currently, just 2.5 percent of Welsh roads have a speed limit of 20 mph, but from next year this is expected to increase to approximately 35 percent.
The government says the new limits will reduce the risk and severity of injuries as a result of collisions between vehicles and vulnerable road users, encourage more people to cycle and walk, make Wales more attractive for communities and bring physical and mental health benefits.
Speaking after the vote, Minister for Climate Change, Julie James said she was “delighted that the move to 20 mph has received cross-party support across the Welsh Parliament today.”
“The evidence is clear, decreasing speeds not only reduces accidents and saves lives, but helps improve people’s quality of life, making our streets and communities a safer and more welcoming place for cyclists and pedestrians, whilst helping reduce our environmental impact,” she said.
Blanket Roll-out
Ashgar MS added that “a blanket roll-out is quite frankly ludicrous” but that the Welsh Conservatives are not against introducing 20 mph speed limits “outside schools, playgrounds, places of worship, and high streets.”“With a price tag of more than £32 million, is this really money well spent at a time when the Labour Government should be focused on tackling the big issues at hand such as the cost of living? I don’t think it is, and I am sure residents across the country will be thinking the exact same,” said Ashgar.
