**Consultation Announced on Plans to Restore 30mph Limit on Eleven Carmarthenshire Roads**
Carmarthenshire County Council has identified eleven roads in the region that could see their speed limits restored from 20mph to 30mph, following extensive public feedback and a review of local highways. The council’s move comes after the Welsh Government’s controversial decision to implement a default 20mph limit on restricted roads across Wales last September, a policy that has stirred mixed opinions among residents and motorists alike.
The Welsh Government’s 20mph speed limit, introduced in September 2023, sought to improve road safety, particularly in built-up areas. However, the policy proved divisive, prompting the government to initiate a listening exercise last year. This ‘listening programme’ encouraged both individuals and organised groups to share their views on streets and routes where the lower limit was considered unnecessary or even counterproductive.
Carmarthenshire Council responded to this call by inviting feedback from the public, resulting in over 1,600 responses. These included 121 submissions requesting a blanket return to the 30mph limit, 259 advocating for a selective approach that would revert all roads except those outside schools and hospitals, and 264 urging the authority to retain, or even expand, the 20mph restrictions. This diverse set of views highlights the passionate debate in the county about the most appropriate speed limits for different types of roads.
In response to this feedback, council officers carried out a systematic review of 150 segments of major A and B roads, analysing each one against criteria specified for the review. From this lengthy list, just 15 road sections were shortlisted as possible candidates for the return to a 30mph limit. After further detailed assessment, four of these were ultimately regarded as unsuitable for the speed increase, leaving eleven sections under active consideration.
During a cabinet meeting held on 28 April, local councillor Alun Lenny acknowledged the strong feelings provoked by the 20mph policy. He noted that although critics have been vocal, there is clear evidence from across Wales that the lower speed limit has contributed to a 26% reduction in road collisions in its first year compared with the previous twelve months. He stressed the importance of balancing public opinion with empirical safety data, reinforcing that any changes must not undermine the progress made in reducing road accidents.
However, Cllr Lenny also condemned the actions of “reckless and impatient” drivers who ignore speed limits, commenting on a recent incident where he himself was overtaken outside a school by a vehicle travelling at higher speeds. “Just because someone does not agree with a law does not give them the right to break that law,” he remarked, underscoring the council’s commitment to upholding road safety.
The eleven roads or sections proposed for a return to a 30mph limit are:
– A484 Cwmdwyfran (entire section)
– A484 Pentre-Morgan (entire section)
– A484 Pentrecagal (entire section)
– B4297 Heol Y Bwlch, Bynea (partially, 600m stretch)
– B4333 Hermon (southern approach only)
– B4312 Llangain (on both village approaches)
– B4312 Monument Hill, Carmarthen (entire section)
– B4308 Carmarthen Road, Kidwelly (southern approach, around 246m)
– B4556 New Link Road, Penygroes (entire section)
– B4306 Heol Y Parc, Hendy (up to junction with Clos Glyn Dwr)
– B4337 Llanybydder (eastern approach, 150m stretch from Ty Mawr)
Four additional roads were reviewed but deemed not appropriate for a switch back to 30mph: A4242 Coracle Way (Carmarthen), B4309 (Cynheidre), B4310 (Nantyffin), and B4303 Dafen Road (Dafen).
A period of consultation is now set to begin, with letters being sent to residents directly affected by the proposals. The council will also seek views from bus operators, haulage companies, and local emergency services. Should the plans advance, a formal draft traffic regulation order will be published, offering a final opportunity for objections before a decision is made.
Additionally, council officers will assess the current ‘buffer’ speed limits – those transitional stretches leading up to 20mph zones – to see if changes could simplify and make speed restrictions more consistent across the network.
The process continues amid ongoing national debate about the effectiveness of widespread 20mph speed limits and their impact on both safety and journey times. Carmarthenshire Council’s approach demonstrates a measured response, taking into account both the demand for local flexibility and the continuing imperative to keep all road users safe.