A bid to return the default speed limit in built-up areas in Wales to 30mph has been defeated in the Senedd, just over a year after the law was introduced. The Welsh Conservatives put forward a motion to the Senedd on Wednesday to overturn a law which set the default speed limit at 20mph in built-up areas. But Plaid Cymru and Labour members overwhelmingly voted to reject the proposal, arguing the policy was helping improve road safety across the country. Senedd members voted against the motion by 37 to 14.
Wales became the first country in the UK to reduce the default speed limit in built-up areas on September 17, 2023. The law has proved controversial since its implementation, with a petition against the law having been signed by nearly 470,000 people – the largest in Senedd history. The Welsh Government has said cutting the speed limit will protect lives and save the NHS in Wales £92 million a year. It predicts the change will save up to 100 lives and 20,000 casualties in the first decade.
However, both the former and present transport ministers have accepted there were issues with the way the policy was implemented. Lee Waters, the previous transport minister in the Welsh Government, argued that the policy was working, although he expressed concerns about the changing messaging around it which could lead to decreased compliance.
In the Senedd session, Natasha Asghar, the Conservative shadow minister for transport, highlighted concerns that the lower speed limit could cost the Welsh economy up to £9 billion and called for the policy to be scrapped. The new transport secretary, Ken Skates, stated that areas where the reduced speed limit was not suitable were being reviewed.
During the discussions, Ms Asghar was given an official reprimand for social media posts inaccurately referring to Wales having a “blanket” 20mph speed limit. Despite the reprimand, she stood by her comments, stating that she was representing the concerns of her constituents.
The default lower speed limit in built-up areas was introduced in Wales in September last year, but not all 30mph roads have seen speeds reduced as councils have the power to exempt certain routes. The decision to maintain the 20mph limit was upheld in the Senedd, with the controversy continuing around its impact and implementation.