The Welsh Government will listen to the people of Wales and work
with councils to deliver targeted change to the implementation of
20mph, Cabinet Secretary has said.
In a speech outlining his transport priorities to the Senedd, the
Cabinet Secretary pledged to put the voice of Welsh citizens at
the heart of decision-making on transport while setting out a
three-phase plan on 20mph.
Alongside a national listening programme, the Welsh Government
will work jointly with local authorities to prepare the ground
for changes, revising the guidance on which local roads can be
exempted from 20mph. The revised guidance will be published in
July, with Councils expected to start detailed consultation on
changes from September.
This is part of a three-phase plan which includes:
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A genuine programme of listening
to people. 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.
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Work in partnership with key bodies to prepare the
ground for change. Councils are already looking at
local roads where changes might be needed. As part of our
listening programme, we will encourage people to get in touch
with their local council to tell them where they think 20mph
should be targeted. Alongside this, the
Welsh Government will revise the exceptions guidance, again by
working in partnership with councils
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Deliver the necessary changes on the ground.
Once local authorities have worked with communities and new
guidance is finalised, highway authorities will be able to
commence the process of adjusting speed limits on relevant
roads. We expect this process to begin from September.
The Cabinet Secretary said:
“We've started by listening. I have been clear in all my
conversations that we will put communities at the heart of our
thinking and will listen to people.
“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. .”
Over the next months the Cabinet Secretary is encouraging people
in Wales to let their council know where they think 20mph could
be better targeted.
The Transport Secretary added:
“Ultimately, the degree of change in each of our 22 local
authority areas will not be determined by me and the Welsh
Government, but by the public and by councils as the highway
authority for most residential roads.”
