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Senedd rejects calls to reverse 20mph speed limit

25 Sep 2024 4 minute read
Natasha Asghar

Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter

Senedd members voted 37-14 against the Conservative motion which urged the Welsh Government to repeal the “disastrous” default 20mph policy.

Natasha Asghar, who was told off moments earlier for describing 20mph as a “blanket” policy, criticised ministers for trying to “downplay” public sentiment.

The Conservatives’ shadow transport secretary said a recent YouGov poll found that seven out of ten people still oppose the default 20mph policy.

She welcomed a “more sensible, pragmatic” approach from Ken Skates, who took over as transport secretary in March, but cautioned that much change has yet to come to fruition.

‘Public outcry’

She reiterated that nearly 470,000 people signed a record-breaking petition against the policy which has been in place for more than a year.

Ms Asghar, who represents South Wales East, said implementation of 20mph has cost more than £33m and claimed it will result in a £9bn hit to the Welsh economy.

She said: “I make no apology for promoting common-sense politics, 20mph where it’s needed – around schools, hospitals, places of worship and high streets.

“It is regrettable that it has taken a public outcry on such a large scale for the guidance to be even looked at or changed.”

She told the Senedd: “Give the people what they want, allow their voices to be at the forefront of this policy that affects their day-to-day lives and please scrap this.”

‘Revisionism’

Peredur Owen Griffiths, who also represents South Wales East, criticised “remarkable revision” in the Senedd, claiming there was initially cross-party support for 20mph.

“Oh no, there wasn’t,” said Janet Finch-Saunders, the Tory MS for Aberconwy.

Elin Jones, the Senedd’s speaker or Llywydd, intervened, saying: “Come on … [we] can do better than a pantomime please.”

Plaid Cymru shadow transport secretary pointed out that 20mph has been introduced by Conservative councils in England.

He told the debating chamber or Siambr there has been a significant fall in road casualties, according to statistics for January to March.

But he criticised the Welsh Government’s implementation, saying it fueled a divisive debate and eroded trust in the country’s relatively new democracy.

‘Confetti cannon’

Lee Waters, the former deputy minister who introduced 20mph, said the policy is in achieving its aim, with data showing average speeds are down.

The Labour MS for Llanelli said: “Casualties are down by 32%, which is the single most effective road safety intervention that has been made. And lives have been saved: six fewer deaths in the first six months compared to the year before.

“Now, the Conservatives say that the policy has been disastrous. I think that these are results that we can be proud of. Has our approach been perfect? No, it has not.”

Mr Waters argued there is little practical difference between the policy and the Tories’ position, saying: “The difference is purely about politics. It’s purely about opportunism.”

He said Tory proposals would cost the public purse more: “Far from a bonfire of regulations, their common-sense approach is a confetti cannon of red tape splurged across Wales.

“The real difference between us is that we are saving lives before politics.”

‘Condemnation’

Newport East MS John Griffiths maintained that the default 20mph policy is the right one as he welcomed the Welsh Government’s review.

The Labour backbencher pointed out that an insurance company, esure, is reducing policy premiums by £50 for customers in extensive 20mph areas.

He said: “It’s estimated that if 20mph was rolled out right across the UK in the way that it has been in Wales, that would result in some £1.4 billion-worth of savings for motorists.”

Mark Isherwood, the Tory MS for North Wales, said: “To say that the indiscriminate 20mph speed limit has been unpopular would be an understatement.”

His colleague Janet Finch-Saunders criticised a “distinct lack” of consultation.

“What was intended to improve road safety and reduce emissions has instead sparked widespread frustration, condemnation and opposition,” she warned.

‘Right roads’

Responding to debate on behalf of the Welsh Government, Ken Skates said police data unequivocally shows accidents reducing on 20 and 30mph roads.

The transport secretary rejected suggestions that ministers are not listening, saying 10,000 people have identified routes and helped shape the next steps.

Mr Skates said: “We know that there is more that we can do.

“We have listened and we have worked together. Now, over the next few months, we’ll begin to see changes ensuring that the right speeds are set on the right roads.”

Following the debate on September 25, Plaid Cymru’s amendment was also voted down, 41-10. The Welsh Government’s amended version of the motion was agreed, 27-24.


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Alwyn
Alwyn
15 days ago

What we’ve had is an elongated campaign, mainly manufactured in England but pushed by Blanket Davies and Janet Twitch Saunders which has far exceeded it’s expected brief. The wrong campaign for the wrong reason – as attempts in NI and England to introduce it show. And where are all the complaints about French towns, where 30 kmph is the standard?

Joe Davies
Joe Davies
14 days ago
Reply to  Alwyn

Labour are being totally disingenuous about the feeling in Wales regards 20mph. And it won’t go away any time soon…..also it has very little to do with England? They really give a stuff what we do here in Wales!

Marc
Marc
15 days ago

Road fatalities have decreased and the Tories call it disastrous. Natasha Asghar go an talk to the parents of a child killed by a car travelling at 30mph and tell them it’s disastrous

Charles Coombes
Charles Coombes
14 days ago
Reply to  Marc

Exactly!

Jeff
Jeff
15 days ago

Lets see, 16k give or take signed the farming petition. They had a massive turn out and well attended at all the protest’s. The anti 20 had 450k+ whatever it was. The turn out at the steps the other day was what, 40?(a generous 40?) (low turn out at the weekend protest drive around as well) Plus there was one far right the Cons didn’t spot and were recorded chatting to them then had to delete tweets. Now 10,000 have replied to the councils to suggest changes. That is not 450K people getting involved is it? Face it Cons, the… Read more »

Les Cargot
Les Cargot
14 days ago

Democratically elected Senedd rejects repealing 20 mph limits, democracy in action, 470,000 toys out of the pram.

Hywel
Hywel
14 days ago
Reply to  Les Cargot

Of the 470,000 toys, half appeared to be out of prams on the other side of Offa’s – mischief makers, as are the Tóraidhe, as ever.

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