A local authority in Wales has become the first to begin the process of removing 20mph speed limits on certain roads, marking a small victory for motorists.
Flintshire County Council has introduced measures to change speed limits in the region back to 30mph after numerous complaints from residents sparked action.
The impacted roads include the A5026 at Lloc and part of the A548 Bagillt/Mostyn Road. This marks the first formal step by any Welsh council to modify the nationwide 20mph speed limit policy that was implemented across Wales.
The changes come after extensive community feedback and will be made between now and Christmas. The council received over 1,000 requests from local residentsregarding roads they believed should be considered for speed limit changes.
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Council will return more roads to 30mph over the New Year
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Highway officers are reviewing each request against Welsh Government guidance published in July to determine suitable roads for modification. The formal advertisement of qualifying roads began on November 8 with two roads being changed each week.
Each proposed change will be subject to a statutory 21-day public consultation period, allowing residents to formally object to or support the modifications.
The council has confirmed that consultation periods will not overlap with the Christmas holidays. Any remaining roads will be advertised in January 2025.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates welcomed Flintshire’s initiative as a positive step forward, saying: “I’m pleased to see Councils listening to people’s views and making progress in reviewing the roads in their areas that they deem could possibly be safely changed back to 30mph.
“We know there is a consensus that 20mph is the right speed on many of our roads near schools, hospitals, play areas and built-up areas. We have listened and empowered local communities to make decisions.”
Under the Traffic Regulation Order process, each proposed road change must undergo a formal legal procedure.
The length of the review process will vary depending on the number and complexity of objections and supporting comments received.
Councillor Glyn Banks commented: “We have listened to the feedback from the local community and over the coming months, there will be a number of roads advertised for a speed limit change.”
He added that the safety of all road users is “paramount” with not all roads requested by residents meeting the criteria for a 30mph speed limit reversal.
However, the council clarified that it cannot act on comments about the overall 20mph policy, as this remains under Welsh Government jurisdiction.
When determining whether a speed limit should be raised to a 30mph speed limit, official documents detailed that highway authorities should consider various criteria, including place, movement and road characteristics before making a decision.
Mandatory 20mph limits were introduced across Wales in September last year. But since then, drivers have protested the slower speeds which prompted the Government to act.
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The Welsh Transport Secretary praised the move by Flintshire council
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In July the Welsh Government announced new rules to allow local authorities the power to reverse 20mph limits in their borough if necessary. The powers to do so fall under new Traffic Regulation Orders with new guidance issued to help support the removal of lower speeds.
