Plans advance to roll back 20 mph speed limits
Anthony Lewis, local democracy reporter
Plans to turn revert 20mph roads back to 30mph speed limits have taken another step closer to becoming reality.
Senior councillors gave their backing to give public notice of the council’s intention to make traffic regulation orders for four roads in Merthyr Tydfil.
Aberdare Road, Cyfarthfa Road, the A4054 Cardiff Road in Quakers Yard and Swansea Road could see their speed limits changed back to 30mph from the Welsh Government’s default 20mph.
If no objections are received then the orders will be made, otherwise a report will be presented to the appropriate council committee as soon as possible.
The Welsh Government introduced a default 20mph speed limit on restricted roads across Wales in September, 2023.
Local authorities were provided with guidance outlining the criteria under which exemptions to the default limit could be applied.
After this was implemented, the Welsh Government issued revised guidance in late 2024 to help councils in reviewing locations where a 30mph speed limit might be more appropriate.
Members of the public were also invited to submit requests to local authorities for any roads they believed should be considered in relation to the revised guidance.
The 30mph speed limit on Aberdare Road would apply from the junction of Ynysfach in a westerly direction for a distance of 480 metres.
Assessment
The assessment of Aberdare Road against the revised criteria identified that “the road performs a strategic movement function connecting key parts of the network, the property frontage density is very low, footway provision is appropriate and traffic movement align more closely with 30mph than a 20mph setting.”
Councillors within Park and Cyfarthfa wards were consulted and a public consultation was carried out on the proposal.
Of the 3,283 respondents, 2,541 (77.4%) were in favour of it reverting back to 30mph while 742 (22/6%) were against this.
The 30mph speed limit on Cyfarthfa Road would apply from the junction of the A4102 Swansea Road for a distance of 576 metres in a northerly direction.
Councillors within Park ward were consulted and a public consultation was carried out on the proposal.
Of the 3,283 respondents, 2,504 (76.27%) supported the proposed change while 779 (23.73%) did not support it.
The 30mph speed limit on the A4054 Cardiff Road in Quakers Yard would apply from 86 metres south of number 26 Cardiff Road for a distance of 412 metres in a northerly direction.
Councillors within the Treharris ward were consulted and a public consultation was carried out on the proposal.
Of the 3,283 respondents, 2,541 (77.4%) supported the change while 742 (22.6%) did not support it.
The 30mph speed limit on Swansea Road would apply from 23 metres east of Heol Tai Mawr for a distance of 1,175 metres in a westerly direction.
Councillors within the Cyfarthfa ward were consulted and a public consultation was carried out on the proposal.
Of the 3,283 respondents, 2,510 (76.45%) supported the proposals while 773 (23.55%) did not support it.
Costs associated with the traffic regulation order process, including statutory advertising and required sign changes, will be met from the 2025/26 Welsh Government 20mph grant award.
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Should never have been rolled out.
You must be very upset that so many lives have been saved.
I don’t see what the problem is. It’s just a 10mph reduction in a speed limit, it’s not as if they’ve taken one of your kidneys.
That’s a lot of respondents.
It should have stayed at 30
It’s four roads reverting and presumably hundreds staying at twenty. This is by far the most efficient and cost effective way to get the right balance. Staying at thirty and individually assessing hundreds for reducing to twenty would take years and cost far more.
There should be consequences for councils and MPs who make these stupid decisions. The public need to be more proactive! With over 50 Million people in the UK, it would only take a handful to make change for everyone x
So the longest stretch is 1/3 mile long reverted to 30 mph. At 20mph it takes 1 minutes and at 30 mph 40 seconds. This is about perception rather than any real advantage.
Cash cow for the sennedd to pay for 33 extra ms members
If you mean speeding fines it all goes to HM Treasury in London.
The roads would be safer if we banned vehicles altogether. This is not the answer, a judgement needs to be made. Deciding on the right balance is important and may change over time. What would help is consistency and less changes of speed limits. It is currently a money making scheme devised by councillors to earm revenue.
your council wrapped it round you like a winter duvet instead of tailoring it like a jacket.
The idea wasn’t the problem.
The execution was like watching someone try to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions — technically possible, but you’ll end up with a wobbly table and a few spare screws.
So if we’re pointing fingers, let’s at least point them in the right direction.
The policy wasn’t the blanket.
The councils were the ones doing the tucking‑in.
Gotta laugh at all the entitled motorists getting their knickers in a twist!