Anger over plans to change hundreds of roads in Wales back to 30mph

The Welsh Government is poised to alter speed limits on numerous roads across Wales, with WalesOnline readers split over the changes raising questions about cost and timing

Road sign marking the start of a 20 mph speed limit zone in a residential area(Image: Ceri Breeze via Getty Images)

WalesOnline readers have expressed mixed views on the proposed changes to speed limits, with concerns raised about cost, timing, and the practical application of these rules. Whilst some readers welcomed the change, others argued that the original policy should have remained unchanged.

The Welsh Government is set to modify speed limits on a number of roads throughout Wales. From September 2023, the standard speed limit for residential and unrestricted roads in Wales was lowered to 20mph.

This decision has sparked debate, despite contributing to a reduction in road accidents and fatalities since its introduction. However, the ensuing criticism led to the release of new guidelines concerning 'exception' powers - enabling local councils to uphold a 30mph limit on certain routes.

Consequently, hundreds of Welsh roads have reverted to a 30mph limit.

In terms of the trunk road network, the powers lie with the Welsh Government as the highways authority.

One reader, Pa1981, comments: "If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Just another excuse to spend what we don’t have and make themselves look important."

Emsee asks: "Who’d believe it? An outbreak of common sense in the Senedd just before an election."

Christineaustin answers: "Well, no, it's not, it costs 3 million plus to change from 30 mph to 20 mph, so imagine how much it's going to cost now, besides this is labour trying very hard to stay in power."

Welshdragon7974 adds: "And no changes in RCT, in fact, it's been the complete opposite with other roads having their limits slashed and too many average speed cameras to count."

Closethebaycircus says: "Long overdue. Someone needs to look at the millions misspent on their own agenda and vanity projects."

Jabhigh adds: "Newport Road in Cardiff was supposed to be changed to 30mph months ago, and still not done. Council employees seem to work at half speed, at the quickest. Is it because they mostly work from home?"

Stunky agrees: "And you are absolutely correct about the speed of council employees, in particular, carrying out roadworks. In the east of Caerphilly, they spent over a year unnecessarily widening the pavements. The pavements are lovely and flat now (for the very few people who use them in this particular location), but the road running alongside is full of potholes. It's laughable. The "workers" spend more time sitting in the lorry or digger than working."

Goatman writes: "The architects of 20mph really need to be held to account! Just remember that!"

Yeknom laref disagrees: "It's not the speed limits that are at fault, it's the irresponsible driving that causes accidents."

Yrhenrechwr adds: "20 mph keeps traffic moving in towns. It's much easier to join main roads and to turn off. If you want your grandchildren to have a shot at a decent life, then stop using fossil fuels - now."

LOGIC2 writes: "I have for a long time been disenchanted with the current government's incompetence, but now I have been caught driving at 26 mph, and this has made me adamant that I will not vote for these jokers. Not only is 20 mph impractical, but it is also hazardous to be spending a disproportionate amount of time looking at your speedo rather than on the road."

Jeff2509 questions: "How is saving lives and reducing serious injury by 23% a failure? How is a reduction of over 1,000 car insurance claims a year a failure?"

Oaken comments: "It's the sudden, drastic contrast between speeds that got me. Down from 30mph to 20mph in one massive swoop. That's a 33% drop suddenly. I am not at all against a reduction in the 30mph in some places, like most people here, where appropriate, but wouldn't a more gradual experiment in reducing speeds have worked so much better? Say from 30mph down to 25mph instead?

"In some other countries, a 25 mph speed limit is actually quite common in built-up areas, but for some reason here in the UK, in Wales especially, a 25mph road is pretty rare to see. Not really sure why? Do all the bright people deciding all this find it somehow difficult to think in numbers other than whole, rounded off ones like 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 70s? There are lots of useful half numbers in between those; such as 25, 35, 45, etc.., and these half numbers especially useful at the lower speed limits. As an aside, at the other end, maybe even consider a 75mph perhaps on certain parts of some motorways? But the point is, 30mph to 25mph is still quite a bit slower; it's still a drop down, but it would get people used to it more gradually. Without proper forethought about more gradual trialling of speed limits, I am not surprised there has been such outrage at this policy."

For or against, the ongoing saga of 20mph speed limit shows no sign of slowing down. Comment HERE or below to have your say.

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