The recent introduction of a 20mph speed limit across Wales, effective from September 17, 2023, has seen journey times lengthen across the nation, sparking considerable debate. The legislation aims to reduce accident risk and severity, encouraging alternative modes of transport such as walking, cycling or scootering. It is also hoped it will provide additional benefits for mental and physical well-being.
Research conducted by Transport for Wales discovered that from September 2023 to April 2024, average vehicle speeds on main 20mph roads dropped by around 4.3mph. 58% of vehicles are now travelling at – or below – 24mph compared to 20% previously. Average journey times have increased on most assessed routes but generally not by more than two minutes. Journey time variability has decreased on most routes, suggesting improved journey time reliability. In addition, air quality monitoring has not shown any significant difference in nitrogen dioxide concentrations in 20mph areas compared to non-20mph areas.
A range of views has emerged following this report on Wales’ default speed restriction, with some expressing frustration over the implications of the newly enforced measure. Critics include Bikelanesnotcancercare, who commented: “It only takes 1 car doing 20mph then all cars behind it must do 20mph, this is not a personal choice but enforced by some old gopher making a point. This leads to anger and frustration which in turn leads to other very serious social and health problems”, reports Wales Online.
Daiceiber added: “In the Cynon Valley, it’s not that you just travel more slowly, you also have to wait and wait until oncoming traffic passes parked cars before you can continue. This can take an age, particularly during rush hour and school times. RCTCBC have done nothing to aliviate this. They could easily put in passing places, stop people parking on junctions, yellow lines, etc!”
Blackhand18 believed: “Certainly hasn’t helped my mental or physical health. To the contrary, my stress levels hit the roof following a car moving at a snail’s pace and constantly changing gears moving from 30mph to 20mph to 40mph all within yards is damaging my car and my ankle joints. But oh the joy when disregarding the speed limit and overtaking the smug do-gooders.”
Sometimesiamright said: “With the attitude of the Labour Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru maybe there should be a two tier speed limit. 20mph for Welsh speakers to keep them in the country longer and a 50pmh speed limit to those who speak English only to get them out of the country as quickly as possible.”
Barrian believed: “All smoke and mirrors. If the air quality had improved then they would be shouting about it. How about showing the comparison of the new 20 mph zones before and after the introduction? It says no material difference between 20 and 30 roads. Most 30 roads are in less urban areas now so that isn’t comparable plus I asked what the difference was between the pre 20 and the post 20 data. I also notice no mention of carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide emissions. I wonder why? For a full analysis of the data all this must be compared and not the cherry picking that the Senedd has put in the press release.”
Sharkman wrote: “Being behind sad people doing 17mph not even 20 is leading to guess what? Worse driving and more people getting angrier.” But Williisnt responded saying: “If 20 is the legal limit then driving at 17mph is about right. That’s not sad, that’s driving safely and legally within the law.”
PJ372 disagreed: “17 most definitely isn’t right and with a discrepancy on your speedo the actual speed is closer to 14, all you are doing is creating an obstruction let alone anger and frustration for all of those stuck behind you.”
Dyffrynteg thought: “‘Air-quality monitoring has not revealed any material difference in nitrogen dioxide’. In other words, there is just a small difference in NO2 levels. My guess is that it is higher in 20mph zones because vehicles will be there for longer running less efficiently. I am sure that if, against any reasonable expectation, it had been lower in 20mph zones, they would have been crowing about it from the roof tops.”
Numbersontheleft wrote: “I pick up my grandson 4 times a week. The journey is 10 miles and most roads are now 20mph. According to my car tracker, the journey takes an average of 7 minutes longer than it did before the blanket 20mph limits and I use 15% more fuel.”