Ahead of the anniversary of the introduction of the 20mph default
speed limit in Wales, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North
Wales, , has set out the next steps.
Earlier this year, the Cabinet Secretary announced a three
phase-plan on 20mph, including a National Listening
Programme over the summer, which encouraged people to get
involved and have their say. Welsh Government published revised
guidance for highway authorities in July.
The first two phases of the plan are complete. Local authorities
are now in the process of reviewing feedback from people,
business, and communities across Wales to ensure 20mph is
targeted on the right roads.
A number of councils are now starting to set out the final stage
of the plan by publishing information on the amount of feedback
received and the next steps.
Once their review is complete, if local authorities decide
to change the speed limit on an individual road, a statutory
Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process will commence – providing
a further opportunity for engagement with local people.
The latest statistics provide encouraging signs that things are
moving in the right direction, with a fall in collisions and a
reduction in speeds.
Speaking ahead of the one-year anniversary, said:
“I wanted to give people a voice on 20mph in their area and I am
grateful to everyone who has shared feedback with their local
council over the past few months.
“I want to build from the broad consensus that 20mph is right
where people live, work and play – this is about getting the
right speeds on the right roads.
“I want to pay tribute to our partners in local government. I'm
pleased that local authorities are starting to move into the
final stages of the plan. This will move at different paces in
different places, according to local circumstances and the amount
of feedback received.”
Chair of the Welsh Local Government Association, Cllr
Andrew Morgan added:
“Local authorities welcome the further funding and support
offered by the Welsh Government to get the right speeds on the
right roads but are faced with challenging decisions. We will
need to carefully balance the benefits and disbenefits of raising
speeds. Safety of all road users will be at the heart of the
decisions we take.”
Useful links:
