PLAID CYMRU'S leader believes that empowering local authorities to review and make exemptions to some 20mph roads could help 'ease public concerns' over the changes.

As of Sunday, September 17, the majority of roads in built-up areas throughout Wales were changed from 30mph to 20mph.

The Welsh Government says the move will help save lives and they also hope that it will encourage people to walk or cycle to work.

But, the changes have been met with stong opposition with a petition gathering over 390,000 signatures (correct at time of writing) and that figure rising every day. 

In preparation for the implementation of Welsh Government’s new 20mph legislation on September 17, Flintshire County Council undertook an assessment of local roads against current national guidance.  

As a result of this assessment, the council identified sections of a small number of roads that had the potential for existing speed limits to be increased above 30mph, and sections of roads that could be considered ‘exceptions’ to Welsh Government’s new 20mph legislation.

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth believes that giving local authorities the option of reviewing and make further exemptions to some roads could help ease some public concerns.

Mr ap Iorwerth believes that the Welsh Government should press ahead with reviewing the impact of the new default 20mph restrictions throughout Wales, following the Plaid Cymru amendment that was passed in the Senedd last week (13/9/23), as well as reviewing the guidelines that Local Authorities have been asked to follow.

He said: “The debate surrounding the 20mph legislation has been heated on both sides. Trading blows on Twitter will not allow us to move on in a sensible manner which balances safety with local needs.

“I want to see the Labour Welsh Government acting on the Plaid Cymru amendment which was supported by the Senedd last week, empowering communities to review and make further exemptions to roads in areas where that makes sense, but also taking immediate steps to review the actual guidelines which allow Local Authorities to make those exemptions.

“Councils nationwide should have more flexibility – for example, their ability to make exemptions should not be limited to A roads and B roads only.

“There are legitimate points on both sides of the debate, but we are now seeing some engaging in bad faith.

“I support the principle of introducing lower limits where they’re needed, but they need to work on the detail to garner more public support for this change so that fewer lives are lost on our roads each year.”