20mph Wales: Some roads to revert to 30mph after backlash

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Chippy_Tea

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Good news for our Welsh members, @Clint will be happy -



Some roads in Wales will revert to 30mph following backlash at the Welsh government's £34m default 20mph policy.

Transport Secretary Ken 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.
Swansea council leader Rob Stewart welcomed the change, but said the government must help foot the bill to swap signage.
Mr Skates highlighted the almost half a million signatures to a Senedd petition opposing the policy, brought in under former first minister Mark Drakeford and his transport minister Lee Waters.
"I have friends and family who have signed the petition," he said.

But the policy has also enjoyed support from groups including those representing cyclists, while some people have even called for it to be extended to areas not covered in the rollout to help make their communities safer.
Mr Skates was put in charge of transport for Wales on 21 March after Vaughan Gething succeeded Mr Drakeford.
"There is generally universal support for 20mph being targeted in areas where there are schools, built up areas like housing estates, and outside hospitals and so-forth," he told North Wales Live on Friday.
"But in many areas, routes that shouldn't have been included, were."
He said the changes will enable individual councils to revert routes back to 30mph where appropriate, adding that this will allow for "radical" changes, if that is "what people want".

Mr Skates is expected to address forthcoming changes in a statement to the Senedd on Tuesday afternoon.
Rob Stewart, leader of Swansea council, said Mr Skates' "pragmatic approach" was "to be welcomed".
However, he said the Welsh government should "help us with the cost" of reverting back to 30mph roads.
Mr Skates added that he does not feel it would be fair to place that costs on local authorities, given that councils are making "really tough" decisions.
"I'm not going to say to councils that they need to find the money to make the changes," he said.

The controversial 20mph policy was introduced in Wales in September with the aim of improving road safety. It saw the default speed limit on roads in built up areas cut from 30mph to 20mph.
Mr Stewart added that he anticipated the changes to the policy could affect up to 10 roads in his own local authority.
"I don't think anybody is challenging the requirements or the ambition of the 20mph to make our roads safer, but it's about making sure we've got the balance right," he said.
"So I think it's just about being pragmatic and doing it in a way that's sensible."
Huw Thomas, leader of Cardiff council, said the news was welcome and that it was not possible to "pretend there isn't a half-million-person petition".
He said he was glad the power will rest with local governments and that the work will be "mostly" funded by the Welsh government.
Mr Thomas added that in Cardiff, where most of city was 20mph already, the policy had been "very popular" and that he "certainly can't see many roads changing".
Natasha Asghar, the Welsh Conservative's transport spokesperson, said the party had "consistently voted against the ridiculous 20mph policy involving 97% of previously 30mph roads".
"The Welsh Conservatives want to see this policy scrapped," said the Member of the Senedd.
"A more targeted approach is needed with the support of the Welsh people."
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said: "Over six months have passed since Plaid Cymru tabled a Senedd amendment, and won the vote, gaining a commitment from Welsh government to review the impact of new limits and to empower local authorities to make further exemptions.
"I support the principle of widespread 20mph zones but it's clear that it was implemented very poorly and inconsistently, with too many roads changing to 20mph in places where it felt unreasonable.
"Welsh government must push ahead now and sort it out."

BBC News

 
In what way? Surely the speed limit effects them?


I am all for thr limits to remain. Cars are now travelling at 30mph not the 40+ when it was a 30mph limit.
Speed limits are to protect the most vulnerable. Pedestrians and cyclists are the most at risk group. Any speed adjustments that saves life's is a good thing. The biggest problem is everyone is in a mad rush to get from A to B.
 
Instead of speed traps the police should go to busy junctions to catch red light jumpers round here it used to be amber gamble now its red.
 
Instead of speed traps the police should go to busy junctions to catch red light jumpers round here it used to be amber gamble now its red.
In Wales it is GoSafe that operate speed vans, its a partnership to reduce road casualties, freeing up roads police to target criminals that use the roads
 
I've seen several residential roads in England randomly being dropped to 20mph, I've been trying to stick to it but its painfully slow... and this is coming from someone who enjoys narrowboating at 4mph. The only way I can realistically stick to it is by using the cruise control with gritted teeth. Very few drivers seem to be paying any attention to it.
 
In Wales it is GoSafe that operate speed vans, its a partnership to reduce road casualties, freeing up roads police to target criminals that use the roads
I think ours are also not manned by police they should have the guys that operate them on box junctions catching all who ignore them and the red light jumpers they would make a fortune round here.
 
I've seen several residential roads in England randomly being dropped to 20mph, I've been trying to stick to it but its painfully slow... and this is coming from someone who enjoys narrowboating at 4mph. The only way I can realistically stick to it is by using the cruise control with gritted teeth. Very few drivers seem to be paying any attention to it.
My cruise doesn't start until 30 🙄
 
Speed limits are to protect the most vulnerable. Pedestrians and cyclists are the most at risk group. Any speed adjustments that saves life's is a good thing. The biggest problem is everyone is in a mad rush to get from A to B.
It's a very complex situation, as a cyclist, motorist and pedestrian I have viewpoints from all sides. As a cyclist in a 20 zone who does about 12mph-15 mph it would be easier for a motorist to accelerate to pass at 30. I've also noted that many accelerate over to 20 to pass. There are clearly some roads where it's too dangerous to cycle on. No good being in the right if you're dead. What happened to common sense? There are far too many roads that are stupidly slow for the potential hazards on that stretch of road. A blanket 20mph enforcement is lazy political thinking. This does impact on the number of carers that now have a 50% increase travel time to the next elderly patient (road conditions permitting) who pays for that? - I know a number of people whose commuting has increased by 12 mins a day. 20mph for 6 miles = 18 mins vs 30mph = 12 mins each way.

This is an hour a week lost stolen from a lot of people. Then the government wants people back in the office yet in wales where the public sector city economy doesn't really contribute much not many government departments in city centres staff are expected to trawl through the semi-rural/urban areas at 20.

Homeworking is the key here, think of lockdown and how much quieter the roads were with homeworking? If you can HW, you should be allowed to, that would be a far better and safer option. As for new staff who are coached/mentored by more experienced staff arrange time in the office as necessary.

Enforcing 20mph as a default to protect whose glued to their smartphone as they cross the road without looking isn't progress. Perhaps clamping down on those using their phone in their hand when driving is a more effective idea. Oh hang on easier to place a speed camera and rake in £££ than crack down on driving without due care and attention.

So rant over.

TLDR : 20 is plenty in many places but put a bit of effort into it and do your homework 1st before a blanket declaration. :roll:
 
I'd ban home working. Unless your business is actually from home.
Or give people like myself who can't operate a 100m long machine and a bank of computers from home,some of those hours during which the home workers disappear off the "face of the earth"☆
☆anagram for Sainsburys
 
I am all for 20 mph zones at schools etc where they are needed its the blanket limits that drive me mad , a perfect example below which is near where i live, the white houses to the left of the 20mph sign on the left are the closest why do they need to put a 20mph limit so far away its not a wonder people ignore these limits.

(the road and corner ahead is not as narrow as it looks)


vvvvpture.JPG
 
It really doesn’t bother me that much. It took a little bit of adjusting after 50 years of 30 speed limits, but it’s only a 10mph reduction. I really don’t understand the fuss that’s being made, it’s not as if they want one of your kidneys.
 
I go to see the owd dear...20 to 40 to 50 to 30 to 20 ...all within a mile or so all with the same pavement, hedges,fields along the way.
It was also imposed.
 
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