The controversial 20mph speed limit in Carmarthenshire, which was introduced as part of a default speed limit across Wales in September 2023, has sparked significant debate and tension. The legislation, which came into force on all restricted roads, has been met with mixed reactions since its approval in the Senedd in July 2022. Over 450,000 people signed a petition calling for the reversal of the 20mph limit, prompting Lee Waters MS, the politician overseeing the implementation, to acknowledge that there were aspects the Welsh Government could have handled differently.
Following the public outcry, Wales’ transport secretary Ken Skates announced that several restricted roads would see their speed limits revert back to 30mph. He admitted that while the 20mph limit is suitable for areas like schools, housing estates, and hospitals, there was a need to reevaluate its application in certain routes. Skates emphasised the importance of community participation in determining appropriate speed limits rather than having them imposed externally.
The shift from a 30mph to a 20mph limit has faced challenges across Wales, including in Carmarthenshire. A drive through the county’s second-largest town, Carmarthen, shortly after the legislation’s enforcement, revealed a mix of advantages and disadvantages in adhering to the new 20mph speed limit on various roads. Data obtained a year post-implementation sheds light on the number of drivers caught exceeding the speed limit on 20mph roads in Carmarthenshire over a 12-month period, as well as the average and highest offence speeds.
According to statistics from South Wales Police, there were no recorded offences in the initial months of the new law, with authorities focusing on educating drivers rather than penalising them. However, the number of speeding offences spiked in March, reaching 28 across the county. The figures fluctuated in the subsequent months, with a notable increase in September when 675 individuals were caught exceeding the 20mph limit. The average offence speed during that month was 29.6mph, nearly 10mph over the limit, with the highest recorded offence speed at 48mph.
In Carmarthenshire as a whole, there were a total of 999 speeding offences on 20mph roads between September 2023 and September 2024, with an average offence speed of 29mph. Comparatively, in the south and mid Wales region, a total of 31,233 offences were recorded during the same period, with an average speed offence of 28mph. The data highlights the significant impact of the 20mph limit on driving behaviours and enforcement efforts.
Edward Thomas, cabinet member for transport, waste, and infrastructure services at Carmarthenshire Council, noted a reduction in speeds overall on roads, citing a decrease in speeding on 30mph roads compared to the period before the 20mph limit was introduced. The council is currently reviewing public feedback and plans to assess roads based on updated Welsh Government exceptions guidance before initiating consultations with stakeholders and local communities on potential speed limit changes.
The ongoing debate and data surrounding the 20mph limit in Carmarthenshire underscore the complexity of balancing road safety with community needs and expectations. As authorities continue to evaluate the effectiveness of the legislation, community engagement and data-driven insights will play crucial roles in shaping future decisions on speed limits across the region.