Massive 20 MPH Petition Forces Welsh Government U-Turn
Massive 20 MPH Petition Forces Welsh Government U-Turn
Wales has witnessed its largest Senedd petition ever. A remarkable 469,571 people signed the 20 mph petition to challenge the controversial speed limit policy. The new default 20mph limit in built-up areas started on September 17, 2023. Public sentiment strongly opposes this measure, with a YouGov poll showing 70% of Welsh people against it.
The policy's rollout has gotten pricey and sparked heated debates. The Welsh Government spent ￡32.5 million to implement these changes. Their projections show the Welsh economy could lose ￡4.5 billion over thirty years due to decreased productivity. Police have recorded more than 53,000 speeding offences since the rule changed. Only 12% of people support this road safety initiative, which shows an unprecedented level of public resistance.
Petition Shatters Senedd Records as 470,000 Citizens Demand Change
Mark Baker from Bridgend started what turned into the largest public response in Senedd's 25-year history. His simple stand against the 20mph policy turned into a movement that grew faster than expected and ended up collecting 469,571 signatures.
The petition's success became clear as it hit one milestone after another. The number of signatures surpassed Labour's votes in the 2021 Senedd election of 443,047. On top of that, it showed real Welsh sentiment as 96% of people who signed were from Wales. This proved how much locals opposed the new speed rules.
People didn't just sign - they took to the streets. Protesters across Wales showed up with banners and placards. This massive response sparked more civic action, doubling the usual monthly number of new petitions in just one week.
Welsh Conservatives' transport spokesperson Natasha Asghar pointed out how strongly people opposed the policy. Llanelli's response stood out with nearly 12,000 residents signing. Jack Sargeant, who leads the petition committee, confirmed this as their highest signature count ever.
Baker kept his expectations realistic despite breaking all records. He didn't expect immediate changes but knew the petition showed how unhappy people were. Many criticised the Welsh Government's timing - they asked people's opinions after introducing the policy, not before.
The petition stayed open until March 2024. While signatures slowed down in the final stretch with less than 2% growth in the last five months, it set a new standard for how Welsh citizens can make their voices heard in politics.
Welsh Government Announces Major Policy Shift on Speed Limits
Welsh Transport Secretary Ken Skates has revealed major changes to the country's debated 20mph speed limit policy. The Welsh Government will help local authorities return specific roads to 30mph limits with a ￡5 million funding package.
New guidance from July 2024 allows highway authorities to evaluate and adjust speed limits where they see fit. These changes will target A and B roads that serve as main routes away from areas where pedestrians frequently walk.
"We continue to believe 20mph is the right speed limit near schools, hospitals, nurseries, community centres, play areas and in built-up residential areas," Skates emphasised. He admitted that some routes should not have been part of the original rollout.
The government's three-phase plan includes:
Early data shows good results from current 20mph zones. Main road speeds dropped by 4mph, from 28.9mph to 24.8mph. GoSafe partnership figures show 97% of monitored vehicles stay under the 26mph enforcement threshold.
The Welsh Local Government Association appreciates the extra funding but stresses careful planning. "We will need to carefully balance the benefits and disbenefits of raising speeds. Safety of all road users will be at the heart of the decisions we take," said Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE.
Local councils have started spotting roads for possible changes. Flintshire council has identified 15 roads that might not need the new speed limit. Each region will implement changes at different times based on the feedback their highway authority receives.
This refined approach wants "the right speeds on the right roads". It marks a fundamental change in the Welsh Government's speed management while keeping road safety a top priority.
Local Councils Prepare for Complex Transition Period
Welsh councils must now make complex decisions after receiving more than 10,500 public responses about speed limit changes. The public has given feedback on roughly 1,500 road stretches in Wales. Newport tops the list with 500 requests that cover 334 locations.
Road authorities need to stick to strict legal processes when making these changes. The Welsh Government has created a complete framework with help from the Welsh Local Government Association and the County Surveyor's Society for Wales. The guidelines focus on keeping 20mph limits in places where people walk and cycle near vehicles, unless clear evidence supports higher speeds.
Making these changes happens in several steps. Local authorities first check public suggestions against the new guidelines. Roads that qualify then go through detailed testing with the Welsh Government Assessment Tool. Each change needs a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), and residents can voice their support or concerns during public consultation.
The councils need to balance several key factors in their choices. They must weigh benefits against drawbacks, such as slower travel times versus safer streets. Legal requirements also play a big role, including the Equality Act 2010, Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013, and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
The Welsh Government has set aside ￡5 million extra funding to help with these changes. Different councils have taken varied approaches so far. Wrexham gave the green light to change 52 roads with 93% public backing. Monmouthshire Council looked at 143 suggested roads but decided to keep all current 20mph limits.
The Welsh Local Government Association stresses the need for careful decision-making. "Safety of all road users will be at the heart of the decisions we take," says Councillor Andrew Morgan. Each region works at its own pace, based on local feedback and how complex their assessments are.
Conclusion
A massive public challenge has transformed Welsh Government's speed limit policy. More than 469,571 people signed a petition that pushed officials to take a fresh look at the 20mph speed limit rules. The government then set aside ￡5 million to help local authorities adapt to these changes.
Welsh councils now face tough choices. They must review over 10,500 public comments about 1,500 different road sections. Each council needs to weigh community input against safety needs, especially when you have schools, hospitals, and residential areas nearby.
The refined policy shows how public voices can shape Welsh politics. Citizens' actions have led to real changes in policy while keeping road safety a top priority. Local authorities now follow detailed review processes to set the right speed limits based on road conditions.
This transformation of Welsh road safety rules proves that democratic action works. The careful balance between what people want and what keeps them safe will influence how Welsh roads are managed in the future. Other regions might learn from this approach.