Member of the Welsh Parliament criticises inconsistencies over changes to the default speed limit

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, says the public are still not being listened to over reversing roads back to 30mph.

Mr Rowlands, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Transport and Infrastructure and a long-time critic of the introduction of the 20mph default speed limit is leading the Welsh Conservative’s campaign for the default 20mph speed limit to be scrapped.

Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Rowlands asked for an update on the changes to the default speed limit in North Wales.

He said:

“Wrexham council have announced they are reversing the Welsh Government's 20mph default speed limits on 52 of their roads. This is a welcome move; welcomed by residents and businesses alike in the area.

“But it's clear to me, that there seems to be an inconsistency of approach to the reversal of the 20 mph default speed limit by councils across Wales.

“Labour-run Monmouthshire council are refusing to reverse any of their roads back from the 20mph default speed limit, despite receiving 143 suggested roads with over 1,500 comments provided from residents. Local people's voices are seemingly being ignored.

“Welsh Conservatives would ditch this default 20 mph speed limit. But in the meantime, what is the Cabinet Secretary doing to ensure that we have a consistent approach and that local authorities are taking notice of what local people have to say in regard to the roads in their area?”

Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales acknowledged there was inconsistency across Wales, but said ultimately it was for local councils to make the right decisions for their people.

Mr Rowlands added:

“The whole exercise has been a complete and utter waste of money and the Welsh Government should never have introduced the 20mph default speed limit. The funds should have been spent where needed on the NHS, education and public services.

“Local authorities are now being tasked with clearing up the mess the Welsh Government have created and quite clearly some councils are still refusing to listen to the public.

“The whole policy needs to be scrapped and there needs to be a more targeted approach where 20mph is applied to common sense locations such as outside schools and hospitals.”

Pictured - Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales.