🕒 Article read time: 2 minutes
Wales scraps 20mph limit after 470,000 sign petition
There was singing in the valleys after it was announced the Welsh Labour government had scrapped the blanket 20mph speed limit just a year after it was introduced. The result is that some roads will now revert to the original 30mph limit.
The 20mph measures (which cost £32million) had been controversial from day one and Wales’ Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Ken Skates, admitted that the policy was so unpopular even his own family had signed the petition against it.
Skates said the changes will address the concerns that "a lot of people" have raised "on a consistent basis".
"We've put our hands up to say the guidance has to be corrected," he said.
Logistics UK's Policy Lead for Wales, Josh Fenton said: “It is encouraging to see that the Welsh government has listened to the feedback from the logistics sector and other stakeholder groups that a blanket approach to 20mph limits was hindering Welsh productivity and economic growth.
“Logistics UK supports the targeted approach to 20mph, in areas that are frequently used by vulnerable people, such as outside schools, nurseries and hospitals. However, it is right that key logistics routes such as A roads and trunk routes are returned to the 30mph speed limit.
“This will improve logistics journey times and reduce congestion."
The controversial 20mph policy was introduced in Wales in September 2023 with the aim of improving road safety. It saw the default speed limit on roads in built up areas cut from 30mph to 20mph.
On behalf of members, Logistics UK campaigned for change and will continue to engage with government to see new and more appropriate speed limits and signage rolled out as quickly as possible.
Published On: 18/07/2024 16:30:30
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