20mph speed limits being introduced to Wales

A new national 20mph limit will come into force in Wales from 2023.

A vote was held in the senedd to limit residential roads and busy pedestrian streets to 20mph, this was passed by the Welsh Government.

The Welsh Government have said it will make Wales more attractive for our communities and be good for physical and mental health benefits, reduce the risk of injuries in the event of a collision between vehicles and other road users and encourage more people to cycle and walk.

Minister Julie James said: "The future of our towns and cities depends on our ability to move around sustainably and on solutions that have a positive impact on public health environment and communities.

"That is why we will use the principle that walking cycling and active travel must remain the best options for short urban journeys and a 20mph default speed limit will help achieve this. The introduction of a national 20mph limit would be an important and far reaching policy. If passed Wales would be the first country in the UK to introduce the change. We're asking you all to be part of this change and make our communities understand the wider benefits of 20mph.

This change is a generational one and when the time to embed, it will need to be accompanied by an important communication and marketing campaign and behaviour change initiatives. Achieving behavioural change is challenging but Wales has previously shown that we can do it successfully with policies such as organ donation, the banning of smoking in public places, and limiting the use of plastic bags. It does, however, require a collaborative effort between agencies, local authorities and by communities. We need to bring speeds down."

Ms James also said, on average 80 people die on Welsh roads every year and 53% of accidents happen on 30mph, recent figures had shown

13 Jul 2022