There was a different look and feel for children on their trips
to school this morning following the introduction of the new 20
mph speed limit.
On 17 September (yesterday) Wales became the first UK nation to
introduce a new default 20mph speed limit on most residential
roads across the country.
This change is expected to save up to 100 lives and 20,000
casualties in the first decade and will help to create
communities where children feel safe to play freely
Pupils from Albany Primary School and Ysgol Sant Elfod
Primary School were joined on their walk to school by Deputy
Climate Change Minister, and the Minister for North Wales, respectively.
Speaking to the children and teachers, Ministers got to hear
first-hand what a difference the slower speeds will make, not
just outside the school gates but also in their everyday lives.
Children also took part in an exercise to learn about the
benefits of walking, cycling and scooting with active travel
organisations Living Streets and Sustrans.
Deputy Minister for Climate Change with a responsibility
for transport, said:
“It’s simple – slower speeds save lives and helps create safer
communities for those that live there.
“Evidence shows that a vehicle travelling at 30mph will still be
travelling at 24mph in the time it would take a car travelling
20mph to stop.
“We know decisions like this can be unpopular and we know that
change is never easy, but what’s one minute on your journey time
if it saves a life and reduces a lifetime of human misery for
families affected.”
Minister for North Wales, added:
“By becoming the first nation in the UK to adopt 20mph speed
limits, Wales is part of a growing global movement helping ensure
roads in built-up areas are safer.
“Evidence shows lower speeds result in fewer collisions and help
save lives and I hope this change to the law will encourage more
people to walk or cycle to places they would have previously
driven.”
Albany Primary School is located on a very busy high street
in Cardiff. Headteacher, Wil Howlett, welcomes the new reduced
speed limit. He said:
“We are delighted to see speed limits being reduced. Many of our
pupils have a very busy commute to school having to negotiate
high volumes of traffic and parked cars.
Reducing the speed limit will not only help make this journey
safer but will also help to encourage more children and their
parents to walk and cycle.”
Headteacher of Ysgol Sant Elfod Primary School, in Abergele,
Gwynne Vaughan is also pleased that slower speeds have been
introduced. He said:
“Having slower speed limits on the journey to school is hugely
important for the safety of our pupils, their parents and
guardians.
“We believe that the new default speed limit will make it safer
for people travelling to school and make the journey more
enjoyable.
“Hopefully, more people will be encouraged to travel to school by
walking, scooting or cycling. It will also give our school
community a better opportunity to connect with each other
socially, too. Ultimately, 20mph speed limits save lives and make
our communities nicer places to live.”
