Wales rejects pleas to end 20mph policy despite public outcry - 'Give the people what they want'
20mph speed limit rules will remain on Welsh roads
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The Welsh Senedd has decisively rejected calls to scrap the controversial 20mph speed limit policy despite drivers citing the negative impact on their day-to-day lives.
Last week, members of the Welsh Parliament voted 37-14 against a Conservative motion urging the Welsh Government to repeal what was described as a "disastrous" default 20mph policy.
Natasha Asghar, the Conservatives' shadow transport secretary, criticised ministers for attempting to "downplay" public sentiment, citing a recent YouGov poll which indicated that seven out of 10 people still oppose the policy.
Asghar did, however, welcome a "more sensible, pragmatic" approach from Ken Skates, who became Transport Secretary in March but cautioned that significant changes have yet to materialise.
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The default 20mph speed limits were introduced in September last year PAThe debate highlighted ongoing tensions over the policy, which has been in place since becoming compulsory on all residential roads in the country last September.
Asghar noted the scale of public opposition, noting that nearly 470,000 people had signed a record-breaking petition against the policy.
She claimed the implementation of 20mph limits has cost the Labour Government £33million and warned of a potential £9billion hit to the Welsh economy.
She said: "I make no apology for promoting common-sense politics, 20mph where it's needed – around schools, hospitals, places of worship and high streets.
"Give the people what they want, allow their voices to be at the forefront of this policy that affects their day-to-day lives and please scrap this."
The South Wales East Member of the Senedd expressed regret that it took "a public outcry on such a large scale" for the guidance to be reconsidered.
However, the debate in the Senedd revealed sharp divisions over the policy's implementation and impact sparking the contrast over driver fury against public safety.
Peredur Owen Griffiths of Plaid Cymru accused some members of "remarkable revision", claiming there was initially cross-party support for 20mph.
Plaid Cymru's Shadow Transport Secretary pointed out that 20mph zones have been introduced by Conservative councils in England. He also noted a significant fall in road casualties according to recent statistics.
Former Deputy Minister for Climate Change and Transport Lee Waters, who introduced the policy, defended its effectiveness. He stated: "Casualties are down by 32 per cent, which is the single most effective road safety intervention that has been made.
“And lives have been saved: six fewer deaths in the first six months compared to the year before."
Responding to the debate, the Transport Secretary rejected suggestions that ministers were not listening to public concerns. He emphasised that police data "unequivocally shows accidents reducing on 20 and 30mph roads".
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The Transport Minister stated casualties in Wales are down by 32 per cent since the rollout of 20mph roads
PASkates said: "We know that there is more that we can do. We have listened and we have worked together. Now, over the next few months, we'll begin to see changes ensuring that the right speeds are set on the right roads."