20mph speed limit U-turn will ‘leave our system in chaos’ after drivers call for complete ban in Wales
Drivers in Wales have been warned that the proposed removal of all 20mph zones is “merely a promise of a review” rather than concrete plans.
Earlier this week, Transport Secretary Ken Skates addressed the Senedd about the continuation of 20mph speed limits and the impact they have on drivers in the country.
His speech detailed how the Government is working with local authorities to “adjust” speed limits on relevant roads, but failed to mention whether they would be scrapped completely.
In response to the announcement, the Alliance of British Drivers (ABD) is warning that until plans are formalised, motorists should still obey the 20mph limit as nothing is official yet.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing motoring@gbnews.uk
Ian Taylor, spokesperson for the ABD, said: “Without wishing to be unduly cynical, the fact is that this promise has been wheeled out just before a lot of local elections.
“We support and praise those local organisations that have campaigned on the issue and brought about the policy change.
“This review needs to be undertaken with all speed (pun intended) with 20mph limits retained only where there is sufficient robust evidence to warrant the claimed benefits.
“Otherwise, Wales will still be left with many more lower speed limits than before.”
Skates told parliament that further guidance on 20mph limits is expected to be outlined from September this year adding that the changes won’t be made by the Government but by the public.
He stated: “I absolutely recognise the range of pressures facing our partners in local government, and this Government is committed to ensuring that they have the resources they need to implement change.
“We will not expect councils, who are facing difficult financial pressures, to cover the cost of adjusting routes back to 30 mph.”
Welsh drivers have been calling for the removal of the 20mph limit since it first came into effect last September, with numerous campaigns and petitions launched.
Drivers expressed their frustration with the limit which is in effect in any well-lit residential area and the disruption it causes to their daily lives.
One group in particular, “20 is NOT plenty” has amassed over 88,000 members on Facebook, all of which have called for the removal of the 20mph limits.
One user shared that the changes back to 30mph from 20mph “will still leave our system in chaos”, claiming that the speed limits “will not synchronise smoothly”.
They added that the move would take years to introduce, despite the limits originally only being necessary in certain areas.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Major car brands warn the UK is ‘sleepwalking’ into ‘the cusp of a crisis’ with electric car sales slumpBritons warned of the ‘most dangerous places to drive’ with major speeding issues – is your area at risk?Car tax changes will see all UK drivers slapped with ‘additional charges’ and ‘less than a year to prepare’
Over the next months, the Cabinet Secretary is encouraging people in Wales to let their council know where they think 20mph could be better targeted with responses being reviewed by local authorities.