“There’s a saying from another time that one could practically outrun a horse-drawn carriage; these days, it’s been slightly modified. Now, in the Welsh towns and valleys, you can practically run faster than the 20mph speed limit recently capped for cars,” remarked Julian Wakeford with an evident frustration in his tone. His sentiments resonated with those of 460,000 other individuals who signed a petition in disagreement with Wales’ newly executed legislation aiming to reduce built-up area speed limits.
Despite the noteworthy absence of athletic superstar Usain Bolt in the local scene, Julian’s grievance speaks to a broader dissatisfaction percolating amongst motorists.
Indeed, the disagreement with the speed limit alteration appears widespread. A record number of signatures collected for a Senedd petition seemingly exhibits an all-encompassing displeasure. Interestingly, many seem to hold divided views on the matter, as gathered from a conducted road trip scheduled a month following the contentious change.
Determined not to be swayed by any pre-existing opinions, I embarked on my journey with an unbiased perspective. The trip led me through areas impacted by this significant alteration; hailed as the most profound shift in driving norms in a generation, it impacts 35% of Welsh roads.
As I conversed with locals, it became evident that the change wasn’t quite smooth. Julian Wakeford’s annoyance was palpable as we sat outside a café on Tonypandy’s High Street. “It’s absolutely ludicrous,” he complained, “the traffic becomes heavier if someone adheres to the 20mph limit. Tailbacks are inevitable.”
Such concerns lingered in the statements of many individuals on my journey through the south Wales valleys — the Welsh government Labour stranglehold. Their experiences revealed the difficulty in embracing what some identify as the most divisive legal alteration in Wales since devolution nearly 25 years prior.
Despite the tight, narrow valleys and a single primary roadway bordered by local businesses and characteristic Welsh terraced homes, the reduced speed limit persistently surfaced as a bone of contention amongst valley residents. Even as authorities maintain the discretion to retain 30mph roadways, the government’s intent to prioritize the safety of pedestrians and cyclists has resulted in many areas adopting the lower speed limit.
Yet, not all opinions diverge towards criticism. People like Christine Nicholls appreciate the change, citing enhanced safety when crossing the roads. However, the transition has not been seamless for long-time drivers, reflecting the apparent dichotomy of the new law’s effects. Likewise, Joanna Davies, a local resident, admits that regardless of the congestion and disorderly traffic, the 20mph restriction makes sense around schools and hospitals.
However, amidst this debate, I noticed an interesting detail: while certain stretch of roads remained 30mph, many fell within the exemption provided to councils where fewer pedestrians and cyclists traverse or mix with traffic.
Further up in the valley, mixed feedback continued to surface. The reduced speed limit seemed to divide opinions amongst parents and grandparents alike. While people like Susan Collinson expressed openness to the change if it would better guarantee safety in areas, others like her husband Steve were mindful of its impact on the longer commutes to Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport.
On the whole, the reaction towards the 20mph default limit has been exceptionally mixed. Insufficient signages, fracturing speed limit changes in short spaces, coupled with differing community views, seem to highlight the complexity of this legislative change. Furthermore, it should be observed through a more long-term lens, and the effects on public safety adeptly consider before definitive conclusions can be drawn.
