Senior Labour MP Calls for Review Into Wales’s 20 Mph Speed Limit

Sir Chris Bryant said that radical change in speed limits in some areas implemented by colleagues in the Welsh government was just ‘a bit frankly bonkers.’

A vandalised 20 mph sign on Sloper Road in Cardiff, Wales, on Sept. 23, 2023. Matthew Horwood/Getty Images

Sir Chris Bryant has called for a full review into Wales’s 20mph speed limit.

The Labour MP told the BBC’s “Question Time” on Thursday night, that Welsh Labour Wales’s 20mph speed limit policy was “really difficult” and “frankly bonkers” in some areas.

“There are some areas where it’s just a bit, frankly, bonkers. You go from 20 to 30 back to 20,” he said.

7,700 Miles of Road

Farm traffic crosses Bigsweir Bridge, over the River Wye, dividing England (on the right) from Wales (on the left) near the town of Llandogo in south Wales on Oct. 17, 2020. Geoff Caddick/AFP via Getty Images

The Labour-run Welsh government has imposed a 20 mph speed limit on all restricted roads, the first nation to do so.

Just 2.5 percent of Welsh roads had a speed limit of 20 mph, but in September, this was increased to approximately 35 percent, ie 7,700 miles of road.

First Minister of Wales and Leader of the Welsh Labour Mark Drakeford shakes hands with UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at the Welsh Labour Conference at Venue Cymru, in Llandudno, Wales, on March 11, 2023. Jason Roberts/Getty Images

The government said that an “Enforcement Strategy” has been agreed upon with the Police and Wales speed camera agency GoSafe.

Sir Chris, who is the MP for Rhondda in South Wales, said that he felt there should be “a full review.”

“I think it should be, so that local authorities can make better, more common sense decisions on the particular roads in their areas,” he added.

“Everybody believes that outside a school and a hospital, and a clinic, and a chemist and in some residential areas it should be 20mph.

“The thing is, that’s nearly every road in the Rhondda,” he added.

‘Changing Hearts and Minds’

Justifying the 20mph speed limit last year, minister for climate change, Julie James compared the policy to organ donation.

“The evidence is clear, decreasing speeds not only reduces accidents and saves lives, but helps improve people’s quality of life, making our streets and communities a safer and more welcoming place for cyclists and pedestrians, whilst helping reduce our environmental impact,” she said.

“We know this move won’t be easy, it’s as much about changing hearts and minds as it is about enforcement, but over time 20 mph will become the norm, just like the restrictions we’ve introduced before on carrier bag charges and organ donation,” added Mrs. James.

Sir Chris Bryant after being made a Knight Bachelor by the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle on May 23, 2023. Andrew Matthews—Pool/Getty Images

 Road-Building Schemes Cancelled Over Net Zero

Associations have called for a rethink of the policy. The Road Haulage Association warned that “congestion stifles economic growth” and that the lower speed limit will be suitable for some roads such as in city centres or outside schools, but “elsewhere drivers will waste time in traffic jams, burning fuel while stopping and starting repeatedly.”

Earlier this year, Wales’ deputy climate change minister Lee Waters, cancelled all planned road-building schemes to push infrastructure projects in the future which must now “reduce carbon emissions and support a shift to public transport, walking and cycling.”

The Welsh government will now only consider future road investment for projects that pass strict net zero criteria, which means they must not increase carbon emissions, increase the number of cars on the road, or lead to higher speeds.

In September, Natasha Asghar, Conservative shadow transport spokeswoman, said the 20mph limit had been “forced” on the Welsh people and opposition to it had “exploded.”

Addressing Lee Waters, she said: “You are pushing ahead with this flawed policy without a care in the world for businesses, emergency services, nurses, carers and motorists, who are all going to be affected by this move.

“This policy doesn’t affect you in the slightest, as you are ferried around in a chauffeur-driven ministerial motor all day.”

The SNP and Greens, who run Scotland, are expected to also pass a 20mph speed limit restrictions law by 2025.

A Welsh Government spokesperson told The Epoch Times by email: “The introduction of a 20mph speed limit in mainly residential areas is designed to save lives and make our communities safer for everyone, including motorists. It has been thoroughly researched, voted on in the Senedd and received the backing from a majority of Senedd Members.

“We have always said it is down to Local Authorities to decide which roads should retain the 30-mph limit in consultation with their residents and based on guidance to help ensure consistency across Wales,” he added.

PA Media contributed to this report.