The new Labour government in the UK, led by Keir Starmer, has made a significant decision not to adopt the most controversial policy of former Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford. This policy involved reducing the default 30mph speed limit to 20mph, which was implemented in Wales in September of the previous year with the goal of enhancing road safety. While the latest data indicates a notable decrease in road accidents, the policy has sparked considerable debate. The Welsh Government has been urging local councils to reassess their lists of exempted roads, potentially leading to speed limit increments in certain areas.
Contrarily, in England, the new transport minister has expressed a firm stance against centrally making decisions on 20mph speed limits. She stressed the importance of avoiding “culture wars” and highlighted her support for councils desiring to introduce 20mph zones. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh emphasised the need for community involvement in such decisions, indicating that councils will receive backing to implement schemes aligned with community preferences.
The Welsh Labour government, in collaboration with Plaid Cymru, had announced the policy to reduce speed limits in built-up areas from 30mph to 20mph in 2022, with the initiative taking effect the following year. The objective was to reduce collisions, diminish noise pollution, and encourage the use of alternative transport modes. However, a recent YouGov poll revealed that seven out of ten individuals in Wales oppose the default 20mph speed limit, with forty percent of drivers admitting to regularly exceeding it.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh underscored her support for local authorities in executing schemes tailored to their respective communities. She highlighted the challenges faced by local authorities without government support and emphasised the importance of decentralised decision-making regarding road speed limits. Recent data from the Welsh Government indicated a decline in casualties on both 20mph and 30mph roads, suggesting positive outcomes from the policy implementation.
The Welsh Government reiterated that the primary aim of the policy is to save lives and reduce road casualties. Their ongoing engagement with local authorities and the publication of new guidance tailored to local contexts are aimed at refining the policy for optimal road safety outcomes. The latest road collision data highlighted a significant decrease in collisions on both 20mph and 30mph roads, along with a notable average speed reduction from 28.9mph to 24.8mph, indicating progress towards the desired road safety objectives.