Following the lowering of built-up area speed limits to 20mph in Wales last month, a petition with 460,000 signatories calling for the law to be axed has emerged. Although 1,150 stretches of Welsh roads have exemptions, many roads in Welsh built-up areas must be 20mph, as the government hopes to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Critics argue that the law has caused congestion issues, slowed down traffic, and are calling it a “war on motorists.” The Welsh Labour government’s own consultation found more against the change than for it.
To get a sense of how the law has affected people, a road trip was taken up the south Wales valleys; the journey began in Pontypridd and went up through the Rhondda Fawr valley to Treherbert. The trip displayed mixed reactions from people on the road. While some feel the law makes it safer to walk and cross roads, others believe it slowed down traffic and caused congestion. The confusion lies in the way the new law has been implemented, with some drivers stating that there are no speed limit signs, and others are uncertain if the speed limit is 20 or 40.
Some residents in the Welsh built-up area welcome the new law; for example, parents and grandparents on school runs, who consider pedestrian safety as the top priority. Meanwhile, some motorists feel like the government’s reasoning for the change is unclear, with people driving even slower than necessary, and delivery times taking much longer. A common theme throughout the trip was the congestion already present, making it challenging to gauge precisely how much 20 mph is adding to slow-moving traffic.
In conclusion, the law’s effectiveness remains divisive amongst the residents of Wales. While some believe that it ensures pedestrian safety, others feel like it is causing congestion and slowing down traffic, with several motorists considering it a “war on motorists.
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