The Welsh Government will be introducing blanket 20mph speed restrictions in built up areas in September 2023.
In many places, 20mph is appropriate. Lower speed limits outside schools, and hospitals are necessary. However, concerns have been raised about the impact the blanket approach would have on main roads and the cost to the Welsh economy.
These proposals would be unworkable, unenforceable, costly, and deeply unpopular.
· There is no evidence they would improve road safety or reduce air pollution.
· Feedback from consultation and trials in Buckley, North Wales and elsewhere has been ignored.
Labour's plan to change the default “national” speed limit in built-up areas throughout Wales, from 30mph to 20mph, will come into force on 17th September 2023. The plans would damage the Welsh economy, yet there is no evidence they would improve road safety or reduce air pollution as promised.
Despite the Welsh Government stating there is not enough money in the budget and are looking to introduce spending cuts, they predict the lower speed limit will cost £4.5 billion to the Welsh economy. Data from the trial areas shows that enforcement is not consistently carried out, with one area experiencing no enforcement at all. The Welsh Government’s consultation in March 2022 found that 53% of respondents opposed the change.
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