Why are we doing this?: With just over a month to go until the default 20mph speed limit for Wales is adopted, Wrexham Council is at the next key stage - when you can have your say on the proposed roads that will be exempt from the default 20mph, and also roads that are proposed to drop to 20mph by Traffic Regulation Order.
Welsh Government has approved the default 20mph speed limit to come into effect across Wales on September 17, 2023. All councils in Wales must therefore implement this initiative, which will result in most of the current default 30mph roads being reduced to 20mph later this year. As a general rule, it will apply to roads where street lighting is currently in place.
The consultation only relates to roads where a Traffic Regulation Order is required to change the speed to 20mph, or retain the speed at 30mph. All other roads that are currently at 30mph, will automatically drop to 20mph by default on September 17th 2023.
- As part of the process of adopting the default 20mph speed limit for Wales this September, Wrexham Council has identified current 30mph roads that are proposed to be exempt from the changes as they do not meet the relevant criteria set by Welsh Government.
In total, 10 roads have been identified and, if agreed, these roads would retain a 30mph speed limit after September 17. These are primarily buffer zones, where there is a drop in speed from national speed limit to 20mph.
- Also, as part of the process of adopting the default 20mph speed limit for Wales this September, Wrexham Council has identified current 30mph roads that meet the relevant criteria set by Welsh Government, and are required to drop to 20mph by means of a Traffic Regulation Order.
In total, 28 roads have been identified and, if agreed, these roads would drop to a 20mph speed limit after September 17. These are residential areas and locations with street lighting.
The consultation period is open now and will close on the September 1, 2023, therefore please ensure any representations are made by this date. To find out where the proposed exemptions are, and have your say, please visit the survey.
Cllr Hugh Jones, lead member for environment, said: “Welsh Government’s introduction of the default 20mph speed limit it a big change for Wrexham, and for Wales, and it is important that residents are able to have their say when it comes to these exemptions. I encourage as many residents as possible to take a look at the exemptions Wrexham Council are proposing and to let us know their thoughts.”
If you would like to provide the feedback to the proposed Order in writing, stating the reasons for your views or objections, email for the attention of: traffic@wrexham.gov.uk or by post to The Chief Officer Environment and Technical Department, Wrexham County Borough Council, Abbey Road South, Wrexham Industrial Estate, Wrexham LL13 9PW.
If you want to find out more about the default 20mph speed limit, you can take a look at the following links to the Welsh Government website:
What difference has it made?: As the project related to a change in legislation by the Welsh Government, Wrexham Council were unable to make significant changes to areas, following the criteria provided.
The Scheme is to be allowed to settle in for 12-months (September 2024) before any significant changes may be made.
Data collection will enable Councils/Highway Authorities to understand the impacts of the change on roads and routes across different areas. The data will be reviewed after 12 months along with public feedback received via local ward members and through correspondence. This evidence will then inform locations where, further interventions (such as speed management, or enforcement in discussion with Go Safe) may be required to reinforce speed limits and which areas should be targeted and prioritised for these interventions, based on robust evidence.
