20mph speed limits could be removed 'in the next couple of months' in victory for motorists
The changes would impact 334 individual 20mph streets in the city
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Drivers in North Wales could see the reversal of 20mph roads happen sooner than originally thought, as Newport City Council looks to address issues on roads.
The council received over 3,000 responses to a consultation from drivers who shared their feedback on whether the roads should be given higher speed limits.
As the local authority begins to review the feedback regarding 334 individual streets in the city, a decision could be imminent.
The council stated: “When determining whether a street should have a higher speed limit, local authorities must also be absolutely certain that any such increase will not have a negative impact on public safety. This is something that the council will consider as we carry out our review.
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Drivers have paid £1.28million in 20mph fines since September 2023
PA“Once we have completed our review, we will then publish the results on our website. We anticipate this to be sometime in the next couple of months.”
The council added that a 30mph speed limit could return if it is suitable in the area, which will also be considered in the review
It noted that streets which were previously 30mph would remain at the default speed limit of 20mph if they are not suitable under the new revised guidance.
The revised guidance by the Welsh Government provided a framework for highway authorities in Wales to use as a tool when assessing whether to raise the speed limit to 30mph again.
The framework was rolled out in July this year and explained that the default position for a 20mph road is when there is "street lighting furnished by means of lamps placed not more than 200 yards apart".
The guidance detailed: "A 30mph speed limit could be set on roads if they are located outside city, town or village centres and away from places that attract frequent pedestrian and/or cyclist traffic or on roads with low housing density.
"Highway authorities have the powers to set speed limits that are suitable for individual roads, considering specific local needs and conditions."
The reversal also follows the new appointment of the Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan earlier this year.
She recently said that under her leadership the country would look to remove the speed limit in areas that weren't considered essential.
Morgan explained: “I’m very clear that around schools, hospitals, built-up areas, playgrounds, it should be 20. I think there needs to be a conversation with the public about what’s appropriate.”
Since being mandated across the country in September last year, drivers have been fined £1.28million for breaking the 20mph limit on roads.
The lower speed limits also contributed to fewer accidents and casualties on Welsh roads with the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads in Wales dropping to 78 in the three months after the rules were rolled out compared to 101 incidents recorded in the first three months of 2023.
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The Welsh Government said local authorities could remove 20mph speed limits if necessary
Lower speed limits were rolled out to reduce the number of collisions and severe injuries caused on Welsh roads. It also hoped the reduction would encourage more people to walk and cycle in communities as well as help to improve the overall health and well-being of individuals while make streets safer.