Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate Change
On 17 February I updated Members on the progress with our plans to reduce the speed limit in 30mph areas to 20mph.
Members were informed that we were trialling 20mph speed limits in eight settlements across Wales allowing us to overcome any unforeseen issues before we press forward with the national roll-out in April 2023.
I have now agreed the continued grant funding of £1,086,565 for the 20mph first phase implementation / pilot settlements. All participating local authorities have commenced work on the project in the last financial year and I am extremely grateful for the work that has already been undertaken.
This new funding will provide participating authorities with continued input into the toolkit guidance; undertake consultations; design and implement the schemes, and trial new design features; purchase monitoring equipment; collect data for monitoring;, and process the required Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to introduce the speed limit. The current status of the 8 first phase Settlements is:
- Pembrokeshire (St Dogmaels) – Operational
- Vale of Glamorgan (St Brides Major) – Operational
- Carmarthenshire (Llanelli North) – Operational
- Cardiff (NW Cardiff) – Q4 2021 to be confirmed
- Neath Port Talbot (Cilfrew Village) – Q4 2021/ Q1 2022 to be confirmed
- Monmouthshire (Abergavenny & Severnside) – Q1 2022 to be confirmed
- Flintshire (Buckley) – Q1 2022 to be confirmed.
The funding is being provided via our Road Safety Grant. This grant is specifically designed to have a positive impact in communities, in particular reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads in Wales and also improving the liveability of communities across the country.
The evidence is clear: reducing speeds reduces accidents and saves lives. Alongside this the quality of life will improve, making room on our streets for safer active travel. This helps reduce our environmental impact and has a positive outcome for our physical and mental wellbeing.
If Members have not already done so, I would also encourage you and your constituents to take part in our consultation on the Proposal to reduce speed limit to 20mph on residential streets. The consultation closes on 1 October 2021.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep Members informed. Should Members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns, I would be happy to do so.