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‘Frankly ludicrous’: Welsh Conservatives slate 20mph speed limit plans

12 Jul 2022 2 minute read
Photo Dominic Lipinski PA Images

The Welsh Conservatives have described plans to introduce 20 mile per hour speed limits in built up areas across Wales as “frankly ludicrous” ahead of a Senedd vote later today.

The Restricted Roads Order, if passed, would make Wales the first nation in the world to adopt a 20mph default speed limit on residential streets.

“The Welsh Conservatives are not against introducing 20mph speed limits outside schools, playgrounds, places of worship and high streets, but a blanket roll-out is quite frankly ludicrous,” Shadow Minister for Transport, Natasha Ashgar MS, said.

“It’s extraordinary that that the Labour Government has admitted this will have a negative cost of £4.54bn to the Welsh economy – is this appropriate at a time when the Labour Government should be focused on tackling the big issues at hand such as the cost-of-living? I don’t think it is, and I am sure residents across the country will be thinking the exact same.

“This is yet another diktat imposed by Labour from Cardiff Bay.

“Speed limits like this should be decided by councils in their local areas, not top-down by Labour ministers.

“Let’s give local people the power over their communities, the very people who know their roads best.”

Campaigners

Last week travel campaigners urged the Senedd to back the plans, highlighting research which shows that pedestrians are 40 per cent less likely to die when hit by a car travelling at 20mph compared with one travelling at 30mph.

A survey conducted by the Welsh Government last November also found that 80 per cent of participants supported the plans, in particular parents or those with children in the household.

Backing the new speed limit, Stephen Edwards, Chief Executive of the campaign group Living Streets, described the plans as “life-changing legislation”.

“When the speed limit is reduced from 30mph to 20mph there is typically an average decline in casualties of at least 20%,” he said.

“There are also benefits in terms of reduced noise and safer and more cohesive communities that are more pleasant to live in. People are also likely to be encouraged to walk or cycle more, which is good for their health and pollution levels.

“It’s simple: slower speeds save lives – and I urge Members of the Senedd to support the 20mph in the vote.”


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Cathy Jones
Cathy Jones
2 years ago

Once again, because they are a party without policy, direction, intelligence or foresight and because their only tactic appears to be one of playing a contrarian voice in the wind, the Welsh Tories have decided to suggest that what they should do is come out against ensuring safety in residential areas (and this will also lower emissions, slower cars burn less fuel)… I would not be at all surprised if the day comes when the English Tories are convincing Brexiteers that the only way to get Brexit done will be by sawing off their own right hands, whilst the Welsh… Read more »

hdavies15
hdavies15
2 years ago
Reply to  Cathy Jones

Cathy At those low speeds most cars are less efficient. However that is a secondary consideration which should not be confused with the overriding need for safety in those areas where restrictions are adopted. Too many boy racers and their imitators in older age groups drive as though the roads are their private race tracks.

GW Atkinson
GW Atkinson
2 years ago

The English tories trying to deflect the cost of living crisis caused by their party in England onto English Labour in Cardiff Bay.

Ruth Swanston
Ruth Swanston
2 years ago

À 20 mile an hour speed limit reduces fuel use, good with prices they way they are. Reduce accidents which can only be good. Reduce, noxious emissions, noise and dirt making everyday life cleaner, quieter and better for us, think of all those asthma sufferers. It may have the byproduct of reducing traffic jams which would be good for the economy and for the mental health of drivers. What is there not to like

George
George
2 years ago
Reply to  Ruth Swanston

“It may have the byproduct of reducing traffic jams”

This is going to be key. If we’re all continously moving at 20 rather than stopping and starting at higher speeds, then we’ll see a massive improvement in jams.

Phil
Phil
2 years ago
Reply to  George

If we’re all travelling at 20 mph we’ll all be in 1 big traffic jam

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago
Reply to  George

Back in the day doing 11 mph in London worked a treat…

Cathy Jones
Cathy Jones
2 years ago

Whenever I see or hear someone who isn’t a millionaire or factory owner or politician mention the “nanny state” I see someone who has been degraded, mistreated, beaten and down and corrupted by a class of people that literally don’t know they exist and certainly wouldn’t give one single care for their lives communicating with the world… I see their pain. And when I see politicians using it I know they cannot be trusted and that they are mendacious cretins that need chasing into the sea. It’s not the nanny state to want to protect the areas where people live.… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Cathy Jones
Phil
Phil
2 years ago
Reply to  Cathy Jones

Quite a rant… Bet you’re glad to get that off your chest! … but what has it to do with 20mph speed limits?

Brian Coman
Brian Coman
2 years ago

I wonder what Health Minister Eluned Morgan thinks about it…after her record breaking 5 speeding incidents and driving ban ?

NOT Grayham Jones
NOT Grayham Jones
2 years ago
Reply to  Brian Coman

she just ignores speed limits as her record shows- probably doesnt give a re the 20mph limit as it doesnt apply to her

George
George
2 years ago

20mph feels very slow and knock-on effect for economy is worrying. It’s also true that we desperately need measures (successful measures – ones which other nations then want to copy) to fight back against climate crisis. Regarding accidents, how many mortalities are caused by people going over 30mph and not being caught? If this new law just means that people cheat by 10mph and go 30 instead of 40, then it’s surely a good thing? But yeah, will be interesting to see how this one goes, and a reminder to us all of the importance of giving feedback to surveys… Read more »

Derek
Derek
2 years ago

There’s a fair amount of 20 zones around Edinburgh. What I’ve noticed is that few people bother with it, which kind of disproves the “reduce accidents” reasoning, because people who drive like twats are going to drive like twats no matter the speed limit – when there’s someone doing 20, they invariably have a queue of tailgaters behind them. A plus of the 20 limit is that it allows old folk much more time to cross the road. I don’t mind it, but I do think that it should be 20/30, with 20 at the same times as the bus… Read more »

hdavies15
hdavies15
2 years ago
Reply to  Derek

 “…..people who drive like twats are going to drive like twats no matter the speed limit –…” Correct, until they have their licences taken away. That’s why spot checks, at least, need to be adopted until the message sinks in.

Leigh Richards
Leigh Richards
2 years ago

As opposed to social darwinists like you who are happy to see carnage on our roads

Phil
Phil
2 years ago

You should know by now that on this site you’re not allowed a contrary view to any Senedd decision.
You must keep all dissent to yourself!
Also you mustn’t raise questions like ‘Who’s going to police this barmy idea’ . Definitely not allowed! The ‘Thumbs Down’ brigade will be out in force against you.

Leigh Richards
Leigh Richards
2 years ago
Reply to  Phil

Yawn….back with another fake name…..how many is it now? 🤔 (still posting the same embittered codswallop tho 😉)

Last edited 2 years ago by Leigh Richards
Fi yn unig
Fi yn unig
2 years ago

Every time a Tory pipes up, hypocrisy spews forth. This time it’s the phrase ‘yet another diktat’, the very thing our country has to suffer repeatedly ad nauseum from a Westminster Tory government Cymru perennially rejects.

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago

It should be a rule in seaside towns like Porthmadog, Abermaw, Tywyn and Harlech etc…

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago

You must be a 4×4 driving town councillor…

Philip Davies
Philip Davies
2 years ago

Ridiculous and impertinent virtue-signalling. (As some might say). This is just part of the ongoing anti-motoring policy of gradually strangling the pleasure, utility and convenience out of owning and driving a car. They’ll soon be introducing new Green wheezes to pressure motorists into giving up their cars. All the complex, intrusive and daunting measures imposed in London will soon make it a no-go area for the private motorist. (Some might suggest). Drakeford’s ambition is (quite credibly in the eyes of his detractors) to emulate London Mayor Sadiq ‘Genghis’ Khan’s Reign of Terror, throughout the length and breadth of Wales. Why… Read more »

Peter Cuthbert
Peter Cuthbert
2 years ago
Reply to  Philip Davies

How sad to read that you are so knotted up with anger. Yes the long run aim is to get us out of ICE vehicles because the future of the human race depends upon us achieving Zero Carbon. We also need to be moving away from everybody having a motor vehicle. Of course the Tories are against anything like that as they have too much to lose from us moving away from fossil fuels. (Yes I have a vehicle which gets occasional use because we have disabled family members. However, better piublic transport and improved cycling infrastructure would helps us.… Read more »

Derek
Derek
2 years ago
Reply to  Peter Cuthbert

It’d be a big step, but we should stop manufacturing new petrol and diesel cars. The pollution emitted by existing well-maintained vehicles is nothing compared with their manufacture, from mining the iron ore to making the paint. There are more than enough vehicles in the world to go round, and if they’re a finite resoursce, they’ll gradually start to disappear.

But that doesn’t tie in with the growth/consumption/profit for shareholders model, so it’ll never happen.

Philip Davies
Philip Davies
2 years ago
Reply to  Peter Cuthbert

No, I’m in despair, rather than angry. And – though this is now possibly a criminal offence – I do declare that I hate this Green extremism. Hate is different from anger, as I think my satirical tone revealed. This smug cult of micromanagement and total control is antithetical to everything British that I was brought up to value. I am saddened at the tragic damage being done in the name of a false and dangerous cult. ‘Zero’ risk in any context is an insane ideal, doomed to fail, but bound to cause great misery before people of your persuasion… Read more »

Phil
Phil
2 years ago
Reply to  Philip Davies

I have enjoyed reading your posts. So glad I got to see them before they. like mine, are ‘disappeared’.
Disagreement with the Senedd’s views are not allowed and will be removed!

Phil
Phil
2 years ago
Reply to  Phil

Oh and on re-reading your second message I notice that you used the word ‘British’ in a favourable context… That’s tantamount to treason here!

Philip Davies
Philip Davies
2 years ago
Reply to  Phil

The idealist radical nonsense spewing out of the Senedd is the politics of arrested development. The place is full of teenage misfits of all ages who never grew up, and still nurse the ancient grudges of earlier times. My late mother was Welsh through-and-through, and I naturally love Wales, but I don’t obsess about historical wrongs suffered by Wales at the hands of her powerful neighbour. This is the tragedy of small Nations everywhere. But it is foolish to base our national politics on a bigoted and simple-minded hatred of all things English, and to repudiate therefore our shared insular… Read more »

Philip Davies
Philip Davies
2 years ago
Reply to  Phil

Thanks for the kind comment. And, Yes, this Forum, being very cliquey, is rather inhospitable to views that do not echo and amplify an accepted narrative. Nonetheless, I think they are getting a bit more sophisticated than simply ‘disappearing’ uncongenial views. The editorial policy now just relies on foregrounding more recent articles on a subject that has attracted any negative response, thus leaving the earlier controversy to languish in archival obscurity! In effect, us controversialists come to realise we are now talking to ourselves, while Nation Cymru’s target readership have removed elsewhere and are clapping each other verbally on the… Read more »

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