Drivers in Wales could hear more details about the removal of 20mph speed limits as the Government debates a historic petition which has forced the resignation of a number of ministers.
The Welsh Government will debate in the Senedd later today whether it should “rescind and remove the disastrous 20mph law", as described by the petition.
The speed limits came into effect last September and have continued to be met with frustration by drivers who have been calling for their removal.
In a bid to get the Government's attention, a petition was launched by residents who claimed the 20mph limits would mark the end of having “socialism” in power in Wales.
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The debate to remove 20mph speed limits is scheduled for later today
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A record-breaking 469,571 people signed the petition, making it the most signatures in the Senedd history, with the Government debating the issue later today at 1.30pm.
The debate comes weeks after the former Transport Secretary Lee Waters resigned after receiving huge backlash for enforcing the “failed” 20mph policy.
He was replaced by Ken Skates who told the Senedd that he believed the 20mph limit would “save lives” and was looking forward to refining the speeds and “getting it right”.
Ahead of the Senedd hearing, Natasha Asghar, Shadow Transport Minister, said: “Labour’s barmy 20mph speed limit sadly looks like it is here to stay and regardless of Labour’s recent PR tour claiming things will change it is apparent that nothing will change.
“That is why today, I look forward to standing up for the people of Wales in the Senedd when the 20mph speed limit petition, that has reached nearly half a million signatures, will be debated.
“The Welsh Conservatives have been clear from the very beginning; we would scrap Labour’s 20mph speed limit and get Wales moving again.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, added that the people of Wales have made clear that they want Labour’s 20mph policy scrapped. Davies explained that the Welsh Conservatives are the only party “unequivocally committed to scrapping it”.
The 20mph limits, when originally introduced, were put in place across restricted roads that have streetlights placed no more than 200 yards apart.
The law changes aimed to reduce the number of collisions and severe injuries on roads, encourage more people to walk or cycle and make streets safer.
A Welsh Government spokesperson added that the Cabinet Secretary has set out a three-phase plan for 20mph.
The spokesperson said: "The Cabinet Secretary has been busy engaging with the widest possible range of voices on 20mph.
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20mph speed limits were launched in Wales on September 17 last year
PAThe 20mph limits were originally trialled in eight places across the country:
- St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire
- Llanelli North, Carmarthenshire
- St Brides Major, Vale of Glamorgan
- Central North, Cardiff
- Cilfrew Village, Neath Port Talbot
- Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
- Severnside, Monmouthshire
- Buckley, Flintshire
