, MS, Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport:
Today, I am pleased to publish the
final report from the Welsh Government-appointed review team,
which has evaluated the Exceptions Guidance for the default 20mph
speed limit on restricted roads in Wales.
The review team has looked at how highway authorities have
applied the 20mph policy change across Wales. The report
recognises the need for balance between safety concerns and
potential benefits of higher speeds on key strategic or main
roads. It suggests that revised guidance is required to provide a
systematic procedure for assessing roads for speed limit
adjustments. This should clarify core principles while balancing
consistency with flexibility, acknowledging the complexity of
decisions regarding speed limits.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the review team
for this important work. The findings will be used to lay the
groundwork for changes and revisions to the guidance on which
local roads can be exempted from the 20mph limit. This will be
published before summer recess. We want to co-create a framework
that supports highway authorities to make the right decisions for
local roads, particularly when those calls are finely balanced.
From September, we will continue to support highway authorities
in assessing roads, making traffic regulation orders, and
implementing changes on the ground. It is likely to take several
months before we begin to see the results of this work.
Councils are already assessing local roads that may require
adjustments. Through our listening programme, I have encouraged
the public to share their thoughts on where 20mph limits should
be targeted, both on local authority roads and on the Welsh
Government managed trunk road network. Once local authorities
have collaborated with communities and the new framework is
finalised, highway authorities will consider if the speed limits
on any of the roads (or section of roads) that they are
responsible for should change.
The primary goal of the 20mph default policy is to save lives and
reduce casualties on our roads. By listening to what people want
for their communities, we are committed to refining this policy
and ensuring appropriate speed limits on the right roads.
Ultimately, the extent of change will be determined by the
relevant highway authorities.
