First north Wales roads return to 30 mph speed limit
Two roads in Wrexham have become the first in north Wales to return to 30mph following the 20mph default speed limit change in 2023.
The B5605 Wrexham Rd/High Street, in Johnstown and the A525 Bryn-Y-Grog Road have returned to 30mph following public consultation.
The two roads are the first of 52 sections of highway where the speed limit is going to be changed to 30mph by Wrexham County Council, following the publication of revised guidance by the Welsh Government, to ensure default limit is targeted on the right roads.
‘Save lives’
The Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates joined Councillor Bithell, Lead Member for Housing and Climate Change on Wrexham Road.
He said: “The principal objective of the policy is to save lives and reduce casualties – and we know there is widespread evidence it does that. However, this is about getting the right speeds on the right roads, building from the broad consensus that 20mph is right where people live, work and play.
“I am pleased that Wrexham Council has managed to strike a balance and has started to make the changes following feedback from local people. Our updated guidance allows local authorities to consider making changes where it is safe and appropriate to do so.”
Consultation
Councillor Bithell, Lead Member for Housing and Climate Change said: “We have been working with the Welsh Government to make the necessary changes to speed limits following our consultation process and Executive Board decision.
“Over the coming weeks we will be rolling out changes to speeds from 20mph to 30mph in line with the Welsh Government criteria.”
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That all sounds very democratic. Now how about getting around to some enforcement of the 20MPH limit in areas where it is sensible? My ongoing correspondence with the various ‘powers that be’ suggests that they are not interested in enforcement. Complain that the speed limit is too low and you get action. Complain that the speed limit is not enforced and you get ‘ducking’. Surely that should not be how Cymru operates?
This is precisely the problem with the 20mph expansion. When it was only used in specific high-risk areas, it was respected by the public and enforced by the police. But by spreading it far and wide, it has lost its impact on drivers and the police cannot reasonably be everywhere at once.
This isn’t what research has shown.
A 2021 report for the Department of Transport showed that 53% of drivers in residential areas and 35% in city centre areas exceeded 20mph limits, showing these were not as respected as some may otherwise think.
A separate study suggested that a fragmented series of 20 mph speed limits could increase driver confusion and lead to drivers ignoring the limits if they knew they were only for a short distance.
Although it’s still early days, the wider default 20mph speed limit in Wales has already demonstrated an encouraging drop in road casualty figures.
There’s still a benefit even without any enforcement or compliance – liability in an accident. Knock someone over doing 30 in a twenty and there’s no “they ran out in front of me it’s their fault” defence.
You actually describe the problem. Prior to the imposition the 20mph zones were specific to places that actually needed it. Outside schools, pedestrian crossings and places of high risk. Police have to now do enforcement elsewhere. It’s also the case that previously a 20 told the motorist the need, greater compliance, but this no longer applies, making danger areas more dangerous.
So, to all the people who support 20mph outside schools: how far from schools exactly?
The local authority previously denoted that measure based on the disputation of the school relative to the road. In some cases where the school is on a side road but near a main road consideration is also made to reduce the speed limit on the main road, say from 50 down to 30. This ‘calms the approach’. Whilst a blanket zone can be appropriate in a city like Cardiff it is not always the best answer in rural or semi-rural areas. one of the reasons why the 20 national blanket makes no sense.