The new Welsh transport secretary, Ken Skates, has stated that 20mph speed zones should be aimed at schools, hospitals, and nurseries, due to the potential safety risk for children and the elderly. The new approach will see changes to the existing 20mph limit, with locals’ voices being a critical consideration in decisions made. Welsh Conservative party members felt that Mr Skates was responding to the group’s “pressure” due to the new policy being “hugely unpopular”.
The all-Wales policy was initiated in September 2020 to reduce road accidents and casualties on the roads. The speed limit’s success has been debated, with almost 500,000 signatories to a campaign requesting that the policy be canceled. The policy has also been criticized by Welsh Labour MP candidates, concerned that the policy could hinder their success in upcoming UK general elections.
Mr Skates recently assumed responsibility for transport policy in Wales and has directly requested local council employees and councillors to submit feedback through a “national listening programme,” indicating that everyone’s views are central to policy planning. He went on to say that “20mph is right around schools, hospitals, and nurseries.”.
There are currently 20mph speed restrictions on the roads in 37% of Welsh areas, but councils may apply for exemptions on stretches of the road network. In the Senedd debate, Natasha Asghar, of the Welsh Conservative Party, called for policy review due to the speed limit’s unpopularity
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