New guidance to support highways authorities when making
decisions on local speed limits has been published
today.
The guidance has been co-developed with highways authorities, the
Welsh Local Government Association, and the County Surveyor's
Society for Wales, following a National Listening Programme led
by the Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, .
From September, highway authorities can start to apply the new
framework to assess speed limits on roads where a change is
considered appropriate. The numbers of roads reviewed is expected
to vary considerably depending on the volume of feedback received
by each highway authority, and as a result the timescales for
delivering change will vary from one local authority to another.
The guidance provides a framework to support highways authorities
to make the right decisions for local roads – particularly when
those calls are finely balanced. It prioritises 20mph limits
where pedestrians and cyclists frequently mix with vehicles
unless strong evidence supports that higher speeds are safe.
Local authorities will shortly be invited to submit bids for
funding for them to be able to make speed limit changes in line
with the new guidance. An additional £5m has been made available
for this financial year.
Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, said:
“I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken the time to
provide us with their feedback. It's been great to see so many
people getting involved.
“The recent collisions data for Wales and the reduction in
casualties was encouraging. We have still got a way to go but it
shows things are moving in the right direction.
“By working together and supporting highways authorities to make
changes where it is right to do so, I believe we can continue to
make 20mph a real success story for Wales.”
Cllr Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of WLGA and Spokesperson on
Transport said:
“We welcome the way the Cabinet Secretary has engaged with
councils to review the original guidance and enable councils to
relook at some sections of strategic routes, including bus
routes.
“These are not easy decisions for councils and safety remains our
priority. There will need to be a high level of confidence that,
if and where the limit is raised back to 30mph, it will not
result in the very risks the policy was designed to mitigate."
Notes to editors
New guidance:
English: Setting 30mph speed limits
on restricted roads: guidance for highway authorities |
GOV.WALES
