Monmouthshire Council Maintains 20mph Limit on Welsh Roads
Monmouthshire County Council in Wales has announced that no 20mph roads in the area will be reverting back to a 30mph speed limit. The decision comes after a thorough review of the 20mph speed limits across the county, prompted by the Welsh Government’s initiative to gather residents’ feedback and provide new 30mph exception guidance in 2024.
The council had previously participated in the initial phase of the 20mph rollout between 2022-23, including selected roads in Abergavenny and the Severnside area as part of eight national pilot projects. Following the reassessment of four roads, the council determined that no changes to the speed limits were necessary.
Council officials stated, “Participating in the pilot programme enabled us to prepare for the national rollout in 2023. Each local road is utilised differently, and we collaborated with local councillors to review each road before making decisions within the framework of the original exceptions guidance from the Welsh Government. Based on feedback received, adjustments were made to certain roads in the pilot, including the B4245 and Caldicot Road, which will be reverted back to a 30mph limit.”
A total of 1,496 responses were gathered from residents during the feedback solicitation process. Among them, 143 roads were highlighted where some residents believed that a return to the 30mph speed limit would be more suitable. Notably, comments regarding general policy or trunk roads were not considered, as these fall under the jurisdiction of the Welsh Government.
After careful analysis, four roads were earmarked for reassessment: B4245 through Magor, Undy, Rogiet, and Caldicot; Hereford Road in Abergavenny; A4143 in Abergavenny; and A4077 Abergavenny Road and Cae Meldon in Gilwern. Following a review against the Welsh Government’s updated 30mph guidance, which prioritises the safety of vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists, the council has decided to maintain the existing 20mph speed limits on all identified roads.
Councillor Catrin Maby, Monmouthshire council’s cabinet member for climate change and the environment, expressed gratitude to those who provided feedback during the review process. Maby affirmed, “The safety of all our residents and visitors is a paramount concern for the council.” Consequently, all roads converted to a 20mph speed limit will continue to operate under that restriction.
Residents and stakeholders can stay informed about the latest developments in Wales by subscribing to the daily newsletter on Wales Online. As the council strives to uphold road safety standards and address community feedback, ongoing collaboration with local residents will remain crucial in shaping future decisions regarding speed limits and road regulations in Monmouthshire.