Petition to remove new 20mph speed limit in Wales gains over 60,000 signatures
A petition calling on the Welsh government to remove the new 20mph speed limit has received more than 60,000 signatures.
On Sunday (17 September) Wales became the first in the UK to introduce a default 20mph speed limit on most residential roads, transitioning from the current 30mph.
Research shows the 20mph default speed limit could save £92m a year by reducing the number of deaths and injuries
Exemptions from the law have been left to local authorities, with 10 put forward by Wrexham Council
Across the county borough around 350 signs have needed replacement and 100 signs have been removed.
Locally there has been a mixed response to the new speed limit, with some feeling passionately against the change and others saying they’re not too fussed.
@wrexham
first 20 mph Rush hour, nothing new with slow moving traffic in town but at least it’s for right reason this time bar few inpatient drivers — sam (@sam__wxm) September 18, 2023
@wrexham Well I have just followed the new 20 MPH Stupid speed limit. Not outside schools I hasten to say, that is perfect. However myself and the numerous amounts of people whose car engines were over rev-ing and pumping out fumes into the air followed the Idiotic rules.
— steve davies (@flynhatersteve) September 18, 2023
Doing 20mph under flyover heading to Caego/New Broughton, an impatient fool overtook me just as I was turning right by the vets. He then had to floor it to avoid a head on crash with an oncoming bus! The 20mph limit on the main roads is an accident waiting to happen!! @wrexham https://t.co/qf9wYWjGH0
— Sarah Monk (@MonkSarahL) September 17, 2023
Doing 20mph under flyover heading to Caego/New Broughton, an impatient fool overtook me just as I was turning right by the vets. He then had to floor it to avoid a head on crash with an oncoming bus! The 20mph limit on the main roads is an accident waiting to happen!! @wrexham https://t.co/qf9wYWjGH0
— Sarah Monk (@MonkSarahL) September 17, 2023
Good to see the majority of @wrexham drivers attempting to adhere to the 20mph urban speed limit today. It’s going to take some practice especially on slightly hilly roads. pic.twitter.com/BjXCC7dSaI
— Phillip Wynn (@PhillipWynn2) September 17, 2023
Good to see the majority of @wrexham drivers attempting to adhere to the 20mph urban speed limit today. It’s going to take some practice especially on slightly hilly roads. pic.twitter.com/BjXCC7dSaI
— Phillip Wynn (@PhillipWynn2) September 17, 2023
The law has been one of the most controversial put forward by the Welsh government, despite featuring as a key policy in the Welsh Labour manifesto at the 2021 Senedd election.
The manifesto made 12 ‘promises to Wales’, with number number 9 promising to “Make 20mph the default speed limit in residential areas and ban pavement parking wherever possible.”
A petition launched calling on the Welsh government to remove the 20mph has gained traction over the last few days, with more than 61,000 showing their support at the time of writing.
Data shows 1,952 people have signed the petition using a Wrexham based postcode and 1,396 using a postcode in Clywd South.
14,974 using a north Wales postcode have also given their backing to the campaign.
The Welsh government’s petitions committee will discuss any petition over 250 signatures, whilst those with over 10,000 signatures will be considered for debate.
Commenting on the news that a Senedd petition, calling for the Welsh Government to rescind and remove the 20mph law, is fast approaching 50,000 signatures, Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister Natasha Asghar, MS said: “The new blanket 20mph speed limit has been in place for just one day and already people have had enough of it.
“For more than 45,000 people to sign a petition within 24 hours shows the extent of public outrage towards Labour’s madcap policy.
“This highlights that there has been little to no consultation with the general public, the Labour Government have clearly avoided all public scrutiny in a bid to get their socialist agenda pushed through.
“Labour and Plaid Cymru have refused to listen to public opinion and are continuing to wage their anti-worker, anti-road and anti-motorist agenda. With this ludicrous policy forced on the people of Wales, Labour can still U-turn on this disastrous rollout and deliver what Wales wants by scrapping blanket 20mph zones across Wales.”
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