“Appalling” Welsh Government map details local roads likely exempt from new 20MPH national speed limit

Wrexham will see the majority of 30MPH roads move to 20MPH zones on the 17 September, however a range of roads will be exempt.

Since last summer 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 five months. This does not appear to be happening in Wrexham nor Flintshire.

As nothing was emerging we spoke with Lead Member Cllr Hugh Jones in this Q&A on the scheme – you can read that here, plus an earlier article where we delve into the paywalled evidence base.

Since that Q&A the local exemptions have been made public via a not fully accessible web based map viewable here. The map is Welsh Government’s, however all local authorities in Wales, including Wrexham Council, are relying on it as a key part of informing the public.

The map uses shades of blue and red for overlays. When we pointed out the issues for colourblind people, Welsh Government said they “can understand concern” adding “we have tried to engage with colour blind users to take part in some user research on this map, however none have been forthcoming”.

Kathryn Albany-Ward from Colour Blind Awareness called the map ‘appalling’, adding “It is certainly not accessible to people with colour blindness. 8% of men and 0.5% of women have inherited colour blindness plus people can also acquire it as a side effect of aging and from common diseases such as diabetes, therefore it is essential that information is accessible. In Wales there are approximately 150,000 people with inherited forms of colour blindness alone.”

Colour Blind Awareness noted the map likely has disability discrimination implications, possible indirect sexual discrimination ‘due to the large number of men affected compared to women’ as well as likely being contrary to 2018 accessibility regulations.

The map key.

There are references to objections and consultations, with Welsh Government saying “Once Wrexham’s TROs are open for consultation, selecting an Exception by Order road for which Wrexham is responsible will display a link to Wrexham’s TRO page.”

Wrexham Council said, “The local members and public will have access to this map to view the exemptions – but due to WG criteria, these locations will not be up for objection. Objections will be considered in the 12months following the roll out of the 20mph Scheme.”

There is however a ‘consultation’, with the council saying “In the next few weeks, you will be able to voice any objections to these exemptions as part of a 21-day consultation period.”

The council don’t appear to know timelines for that though, as Cllr Hugh Jones, lead member for environment, said: “This is a change that will affect everyone in the county borough, so I encourage you to take a look at the Welsh Government’s website to see if there are any exemptions to roads that you use. We have been told that the consultation period is imminent and we will let you know when it is open for your comments.”

Finally after re-asking Wrexham Council for lists they themselves referred to we were provided with two documents. Screenshots of the documents are taken rather than copying the tables as the data was in two columns, tabbed and spaced appearing ripe for print publication rather than table and rows.

Firstly a draft list that will vary or revoke existing orders on the following roads, down to 20MPH:

The second document appears to be the draft of new traffic orders areas for the 30 MPH zones – exemptions from the new national speed limit:

Wrexham Council’s dedicated 20MPH page does not have the list yet. That is in contrast to several councils, for example Denbighshire who have published an easy to read list of proposed exemptions, easy to read maps, and how to take part in the consultation https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/734

The only information displayed is for areas with exceptions and requiring Traffic Regulation Orders (eg areas to remain at 30 requiring a TRO, current 30mph TRO roads, and roads requiring a TRO to be dropped to 20mph).

The exceptions have been chosen following the Welsh Government Criteria provided. Where available, we have tried to keep some areas 30mph and buffer zones have been created in areas where Welsh Gov criteria has not been met (eg, where there is a drop in speed from National Speed limit to 20mph at village locations).

The notices for the TROs will be going out in the next few weeks, to be able to be implemented in time for the roll out date of 17th September 2023.

Welsh Government say, “Whilst 20mph will become the default for residential and busy pedestrian streets, not all roads will change to 20mph. Local Councils will consider which streets should remain at a 30mph limit. Streets that will have a 30mph limit will also have 30mph repeater signs installed. This means that where there is street lighting on a road, with no speed limit signs, drivers should always assume that the speed limit is 20mph.

Welsh Government say direct financial cost of the 20MPH policy is estimated to be around £33 million – with the Lead Member saying £500k will be due to roll out in Wrexham.  Wrexham.com FOI’ed the promotional costs, and were told “the public information campaign to support the change of the default speed limit on restricted roads to 20mph is £810,690. This cost is incurred across the financial years of 2022/23 and 2023/24”. As is standard Welsh Government don’t promote via independent titles such as Wrexham.com

Wrexham will see the majority of 30MPH roads move to 20MPH zones on the 17th September.

Top pic: The map, with a normal road base layer selected, with road exemptions all but invisible.