'Total waste of money' - North Wales councils consider 20mph changes
Councils throughout Wales are evaluating the potential reversal of speed limits on hundreds of roads from 20mph to 30mph following revised guidance from the Welsh Government regarding exceptions to the 20mph default limit. Although Transport Secretary Ken Skates had expressed hopes for the alterations to begin this spring, no North Wales roads have seen their limits changed back to 30mph so far. North Wales Live readers are fed up with the situation.
Councils in Wrexham and Flintshire lead the way in implementing this transition. In contrast, Cyngor Gwynedd was ahead of others, having already designated over 70 'exception' roads upon introducing the new limit, surpassing the combined total of all other counties in North Wales. Before enforcing any speed limit changes, local councils must issue Transport Regulation Orders (TROs) and engage in public consultations on the proposed adjustments.
When queried about their current standing, councils provided updates. The responses can be seen here.
Anglesey council reported: "The Authority received a number of requests during the national listening period (Apr-Oct 2024), which resulted in a list of 44 different sections/roads being requested. A number of these locations failed to meet the criteria to return the speed limit to 30mph, therefore the final list of possible sites was reduced to 26. We will need to review the feedback from the public on the proposals before any changes on the ground can commence."
Conwy is still analysing the situation, while Flintshire is making good progress to reduce speed limits back to 30mph on certain roads. The pace in Gwynedd seems more measured, with a council spokesperson revealing: "Work is ongoing before any TRO consultations are held, therefore there is no list to share at this point."
Meanwhile, Cllr David A Bithell, Deputy Leader of Wrexham Council and Lead Member for Strategic Transport, showcased their progress, commenting: "Wrexham was the first authority in Wales to complete the review. The TRO consultation was conducted on 52 roads and the Exec Board then approved these to revert to 30mph. We will be issuing further details on the changes in a report due next week."
Denbighshire did not reply before our deadline, but a list of roads being assessed can be found on the council website.
Commenter Thewokearefastasleep complains: 'Conwy doing nothing as usual except wasting money on unused cycle paths and unused travel routes. It's a pity they didn't conduct surveys about usage before they started digging up miles of countryside and edges of existing roadways, forcing cars closer together, installing traffic lights all over the place for them to lie there totally unused. What an appalling waste of money.'
Jeff2509 thinks: 'There's no need to change any speed limits. 20mph is having a major positive impact on reducing accidents, injury and death.'
Paul Gareth agrees: 'I can't understand why everyone is getting their knickers in a twist. The 20mph has reduced serious accidents by over 25%.'
Vaux08hall retorts: 'It hasn't made any difference at all except to increase road rage and frustrated drivers and an increase in dangerous overtaking.'
Statistix asks: 'If 20mph is doing such a good job in reducing accidents, why are there reports on at least a daily basis on other roads? Is it perhaps that to avoid the road rage on 20mph roads, many drivers are speeding elsewhere?'
Morpick says: 'The reality appears to be that N Wales councils have done very little, as they did when the initial proposal was rolled out and they were supposed to have done an assessment of need for change in their areas. Consequently the Welsh Government will now blame councils for the ongoing shambles and vice versa.'
Pcplod wonders: 'When is Conwy council going to ask residents their opinion regarding changing speed limits back to 30mph? I live on the B5106 at Tyn Y Groes. We do not want the speed to be increased through the village, why would anyone think that's a good idea, obviously a council chief who does not live here watching cars speed through at 50 mph. Get out of the office and look at reality.'
Keithclubsteward thinks: 'They should make an open statement to the fact that ALL 20mph roads are to revert to 30 mph immediately and that no speeding fines be issued unless one exceeds the 30 mph limit. The 20mph rule is probably the most hairbrained and costly idea this Government has ever had, it is only a matter of time before emergency services will be affected due to tailbacks, double parking and Lorries parked randomly. Parking issues are a far more urgent issue right now.'
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