Drivers demand urgent law changes as furious motorists deface 20mph speed limit signs across Wales
The signs in Conwy have been defaced eight times
GETTY
The Welsh Conservatives have fired back at Labour and motoring laws after two 20mph speed limit signs were dubbed the "most vandalised in Wales".
Drivers in Wales have been expressing their dismay at the 20mph speed limit signs since the rules were introduced in September last year to apply to almost all residential roads across the country.
While road safety was at the heart of the message, many slammed the Labour Government for making traffic worse and delaying millions trying to get around the country.
Two signs in Llanrhos, near Llandudno, in Conwy, signs have been defaced eight times since the 20mph speed limits were introduced last September.
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Road collisions have dropped since the 20mph speed limits were rolled out GETTYPopular slogans on the signs include "get them gone", "CCBC (Conwy County Borough Council) get it together" and "Dictator Wales".
Some local residents have pledged to paint the signs quicker than the council can replace them, highlighting the clear dissatisfaction with the scheme.
Responding to the news that 20mph road signs are being defaced, Natasha Asghar MS, Shadow Transport Minister, said drivers were expressing their feelings about the controversial scheme.
She said: “Whilst vandalism is never the right approach, this latest story highlights the frustration that the people of Wales feel towards Labour’s 20mph speed limit.
"This policy is slowing Wales down and is forecast to hit the Welsh economy by up to £9billion.
“The Welsh Conservatives would scrap the Labour Welsh Government’s speed limit scheme, adopt a targeted approach, and get Wales moving again.”
Since the introduction last year, a record-breaking petition was launched, calling on the Government to scrap 20mph roads, which attracted more than 450,000 signatures - the most in Senedd history.
In April, Transport Secretary Ken Skates said citizens of Wales would be at the heart of the decision-making process going forward through a three-phase plan.
The plan is set to hear the thoughts of drivers across Wales until July, with hopes that a final decision will be made in September, although the General Election may delay things slightly.
Speaking in the Senedd, Skates said: "We’ve started by listening. I have been clear in all my conversations that we will put communities at the heart of our thinking and will listen to people.
“As I have already said there is growing consensus on safe speeds in communities that we can build from. We continue to believe 20mph is the right speed limit in places such as near schools, hospitals, nurseries, community centres, play areas and in built-up residential areas.
“The principal objective of the policy is to save lives and reduce casualties on our roads."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Wales rolled out 20mph speed limits on residential roads in September PAAround 7,700 miles of roads across Wales saw the speed limit drop from 30mph to 20mph, with more than 30,000 signs installed for a total estimated cost of £32million.
A spokesperson for Conwy Council said: "Damaging traffic signs is classed as criminal damage and we have made the police aware of the issue. Vandalising signs can put road users in danger," North Wales Live reported.
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