Wales set for U-turn on 20mph rule as Labour 'puts hands up' and admits mistake
Residential roads in Wales are now 20mph
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Drivers in Wales may no longer have to adhere to the 20mph on some roads, as the Welsh Government is expected to announce changes, reverting some roads back to 30mph.
The controversial law saw Wales become the first country in the United Kingdom to adopt a default 20mph limit in built up areas in September – only becoming enforceable by the Police earlier this January.
However, the Welsh Government seems to have admitted defeat. Ken Skates the Transport Minister told North Wales live there will be changes soon.
"We've put our hands up to say 'the guidance has to be corrected'. This will enable councils to revert back those routes that are not appropriate. Whether the change will be radical will largely depend on what people want.
Ken Skates said the changes will be unveiled "soon"
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"I want communities to own speed limit decisions rather than having them imposed upon them. That is why this national programme of listening is going to be so important. We want to ease out what it is that people in their communities actually want to see happen, then implement the change according to the citizens' voice.
A petition opposing the 20mph policy is nearing half a million signatures, an unprecedented amount in the Senedd’s history.
The Transport Minister acknowledged the policy has caused division across households in Wales and his own circle was not exempt from this.
"I have friends and family who have signed the petition. When I speak to people close to me about the petition they generally say they want 'X,Y or Z removed'.
Skates revealed the u-turn will be costly, but not as expensive as the initial £33m rollout. Adding that the Welsh Government will pick up the bill for changes, not local councils.
“There will be costs involved given that routes will have to revert back to 30mph with 30mph signs and the labour that goes with that.
"I don't feel it would be fair to place that costs on local authorities given that councils are making really tough decisions. I'm not going to say to councils that they need to find the money to make the changes.”
No timescale was given on implementing changes but Skates said Welsh Government “will do this as swiftly as we possibly can”
The Transport Minister is expected to announce changes in the Senedd on Tuesday afternoon.