Wales’ 20mph law has been nothing but controversial since it came into force in September 2023. While figures show encouraging trends about its objective of getting people to drive slower and reduce the number of serious injuries or fatalities, there is an expensive exercise ongoing for some roads to be returned to 30mph.
North Wales Live readers have been enjoying a lively debate about the subject. Local councils in Wales are currently conducting reviews to decide if certain roads should return to 30mph, aiming to finalise most alterations following a review announced by transport minister Ken Skates when he was appointed by then-First Minister Vaughan Gething. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
Among the varied reactions from readers about the 20mph rule and its policing, is a common take. FlintshireGuy wrote: “Scrap 20 limit except for by schools and hospitals and the like and residential streets. More importantly scrap the Senedd and its hangers on,” he wrote.
While Statistix points out the inconsistency in how road speed limits are enforced across Wales: “Some restricted roads remained at 30mph; some councils kept many restricted roads at 30mph but others retained very few; some councils are planning to revert a number of restricted roads to 30mph from 20mph but others will revert as few as possible.
“There is currently no consistency across Wales, when more roads are reverted it will be an even bigger dog’s dinner. Will some legal eagle please explain how this can possibly be in line with the legislation and new Highway Code that proudly claim the DEFAULT speed limit for restricted roads IS 20mph? The term ‘restricted road’ will cease to have meaning in the legal sense (what a reasonable person under reasonable circumstances can reasonably be expected to understand), so the legislation is no longer fit for purpose and needs to be rescinded. ‘The number of offences on 20mph roads surged once enforcement was stepped up’. If this statement is correct, there is a simple answer: stopping enforcement of the 20mph = fewer offences committed and less police time wasted!”
Meanwhile, Dye criticises the Welsh government’s approach to road safety and maintenance: “This like many other ideas by the Welsh government is a vanity project. People are still getting killed and seriously injured on roads like the A55, but nothing is done. The condition of most B roads in Wales is an absolute disgrace pot holes everywhere and again no spending on this. The Welsh government work for themselves not for the people or what the people want. Stop wasting tax payers money!”
ThePickledLiver laments the local funding decisions, saying: “No money for potholes, it all got spent at the sign makers…” Meanwhile, Steamnut says: “Remember these facts in 2026 when we get a chance to vote them out.”
Md71 raises a concern about driving habits and penalties, commenting: “And if we drive too slow, it’s a fine for causing obstruction.” VetchClock points out a perceived inconsistency in traffic enforcement: “Not, apparently, if you are in a convoy of tractors.”
Ifangoch criticises a recent financial initiative: “In my opinion, a £30 million virtue signalling waste of taxpayers money that would have been far better spent on social care.”
On the flip side, Alwyn67 argues with a cost analysis: “I think it was September this year when the cost benefits by reducing speed (less hospital, police time) outweighed the financial costs up front. Now every year onwards, the WG has an extra 40 million to spend on things like social care, which it wouldn’t have if speed limits were kept at 30mph.”
Ifangoch responds skeptically, seeking evidence of the claims: “Social care is underfunded and in my opinion the WG wasted £32 million on the 20 mph issue that could have been better spent in this important area rather than enforcing a perfectly workable speed limit. So by spending all that money the WG now has an extra £40 million? news to me, so lets have a look, where do I find that? Also where can I find they have spent extra money from that on social care. Reputable sources.” For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Alwyn67 responded: “Data has been independently reviewed by the Office for Statistics Regulation and has been designated as accredited statistics. See Wales government pages for the information. Savings over 10 years will be 550 million once inflation has been included. There is an interactive dashboard to view statistics as well.”
VetchClock remarked: “20% reduction accidents, serious injury and deaths (first 9 months) equates to a financial saving of more money than £26 million according to police and emergency services calculations. If you think saving lives and preventing life long effects of injury is ‘virtue signalling’ you need to take a good hard look at yourself.”
Ifangoch commented: “Questioning how the savings stated were made is perfectly reasonable. Now I have a lower figure and a different general reference to another source. So still think the money would have been better in social care and a far, far less costly enforcement programme brought in for the existing 30mph limit Just my opinion. Happy New Year.”
BarnettFormulaSpongers opined that the change was: “An abuse of devolution and complete Welsh farce.” Morpick described the situation as: “A shambles. Motoring in Wales used to be such a pleasure.”
Peteryyz suggested: “Just make the speed limit 25mph with an added prosecution threshold of 10% + 4mph (31mph): Hooray! , we can all technically drive at 30mph again.”
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