Wales to prioritise setting default speed limit to 20mph

Plans to reduce the national default speed limit in Wales from 30mph to 20mph on residential roads and busy pedestrian streets will form part of the Welsh Government’s legislative priorities for this year.

If passed, Wales will be the first country in the UK to introduce the change which will play an instrumental role in helping to save lives, protect communities and improve quality of life for everyone.

Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters confirmed that the first phase of this change is being rolled out in eight communities across Wales this year in order to gather data and develop a best practice approach before the proposed full rollout in 2023.

As part of this approach the Welsh Government has launched an eight-week consultation for people to have their say on the change before the necessary legislation is laid.

Waters said: “Making 20mph the default speed limit on busy pedestrian streets and in residential areas across Wales is a bold step that brings about significant benefits. Not only does it save lives, but it also helps to make our streets a safer and more welcoming place for cyclists and pedestrians, has a positive outcome for our physical and mental wellbeing and with fewer vehicles on the road helps create a positive impact on the environment.

“We know this move won’t be easy – it’s as much about changing hearts and minds as it is about hard enforcement - but over time 20mph will become the norm just like the restrictions we’ve introduced before on carrier bag change, smoking inside businesses and organ donation.”