350 signs set for change as local Plaid councillors ask for ‘re-think on 20MPH speed limits on key local routes’

Plans for a blanket introduction of a 20mph speed limit on urban roads in Wrexham need to be re-thought, according to local Plaid councillors.

As we have previously reported at length the 20MPH law will be a blanket application across Wales, however there are roads that locally will be made exempt, and others where they were perhaps 40mph previously and subject to a local change down to 30mph so they will require special treatment. Welsh Government say Wrexham Council should have been conducting ‘communications and engagement in communities’ around those exemptions to the new law, with a £800k Welsh Government campaign live over the last few months.

Wrexham Council have opened a consultation on the exemptions with a single question – something Plaid councillors indicate is prejudged, as they point out it “is unlikely to change anything as the new signage is ready to be unveiled on September 17th”.

Recent information from Wrexham Council indicates around 350 signs will need to be replaced and 100 signs will need removing – with the overall project in Wrexham set to cost around £400-500k.

Cllr Carrie Harper said reducing accidents and injuries was important, which is why Plaid Cymru supported the 20mph limit outside schools and on residential streets.

She added: “There are key arterial routes through Wrexham – Mold Road, Chester Road, Holt Road and Cefn Road for example – as well as roads that link our villages that will become 20mph due to this blanket imposition. There are just nine stretches of roads – a total of three miles throughout the county – that will remain at 30mph if this goes through.

“It’s another example of a top-down approach by this Welsh Government that doesn’t take into account local knowledge or opinions. Local councils have generally gone with the blanket reduction and Wrexham Council is no exception. I think that is mainly because, when resources are spread so thinly, it’s easier to do.

“If the intention is to ensure people walk, cycle and use public transport to get around, then that would need a far greater emphasis on improving bus services as well as safer cycle routes. This is all about the stick and not about the carrot.

“The blanket introduction will cause problems and I have no doubt will need to be reviewed and undone. We’re calling on the Welsh Government to take their time to get this right first time rather than have to unravel the scheme.”

Wrexham Council are paying money to advertise the consultation – at a (Welsh Government) estimated £2500 a notice. Welsh Government are paying near £1m to advertise the new policy. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

You can take part in the consultation and view the related documents and notices on https://www.yourvoicewrexham.com/survey/1932. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If you would like to provide the feedback in writing stating the reasons for your views or objections, email [email protected] or by post to The Chief Officer Environment and Technical Department, Wrexham County Borough Council, Abbey Road South, Wrexham Industrial Estate, Wrexham LL13 9PW. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Documents are also open for public inspection at that address during ‘normal office hours’. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Our questions to Welsh Government on the 21st & 27th July remain unanswered. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​