20mph Speed Limits

On 17 September 2023, the Welsh Government introduced a 20mph speed limit on most roads that were previously 30mph, mainly in residential and busy pedestrian areas with street lighting. Welsh councils were legally required to implement the change, but some roads could remain at 30mph if they met specific criteria set out in government guidance.

Since April 2024, a ‘Listening Programme’ led by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates MS, had been underway to gather public views on the 20mph speed limit. The Welsh Government had asked all councils to collect feedback from residents. On 16 July 2024, updated guidance on setting speed limits was published, along with an Assessment Sheet developed by the WLGA. This sheet was used by council officers to review requested routes and aimed to ensure a consistent approach across all Welsh local authorities.

In April 2024, the County Council supported the National Listening Programme by launching a dedicated webpage where people could request a review of 20mph speed limits on specific road sections. The page remained open until 31 August 2024 and also accepted feedback via letter, email, and phone.

A total of 1,604 individual submissions were received, mostly from members of the public. These were grouped into the following categories:

• Requests to review specific lengths of A or B class roads (Total lengths of road - 911)
• Requests to review C class or unclassified roads (Total lengths of road - 157)
• Requests for all roads to revert back to 30mph (121 submissions)
• Requests for all roads to revert to 30mph, except those outside schools, hospitals, etc. (259 submissions)
• Support for keeping the 20mph limit or reducing more roads to 20mph (264 submissions)

It’s worth noting that many submissions included requests to review multiple road sections.

The online submissions resulted in some 150 lengths of A and B Class roads being reviewed in accordance with the Welsh Government Guidance and Assessment Sheet.

The following A and B Class roads are proposed to return to 30mph, subject to consultation and the Traffic Regulation Order process:

• A484 Cwmdwyfran (in full)
• A484 Pentre-Morgan (in full)
• A484 Pentrecagal (in full)
• B4297 Heol Y Bwlch, Bynea (in part - for a length of 600m from its junction with Yspitty Road to its junction with Y Gerddi)
• B4333 Hermon (in part – on southern approach to the village only)
• B4312 Llangain (in part – on both approaches to the village)
• B4312 Moument Hill, Carmarthen (in full)
• B4308 Carmarthen Road, Kidwelly (in part – on the southern approach to the town for a distance of approximately 246m)
• B4556 New Link Road, Penygroes (in full)
• B4306 Heol Y Parc, Hendy (in part - from Llannon direction up to its junction with Clos Glyn Dwr)
• B4337 Llanybydder (in part) - for a distance of 150m on the eastern approach into Llanybydder from Ty Mawr

During 2025/26 Officers will undertake a review of ‘C’ Class and Unclassified Roads and as part of a second phase, and that buffer speed limits on the approach to existing 20mph speed limit also be reviewed as to their appropriateness. The review of buffer speed limits will be considered due to comments received by the public regarding the number of stepped changes in speed limits along relatively short sections of road, it is therefore proposed to rationalise some of these to ensure less changes and a more consistent speed limit regime.

Using the guidance, officers began by assessing each requested route based on the following criteria:

• Educational settings (within 100m): including schools, pre-schools, further and higher education institutions
• Community facilities (within 100m): such as community halls, playing fields, sports centres, and children's playgrounds
• Medical facilities (within 100m): including hospitals, GP surgeries, and day care centres
• Residential and/or retail premises: where there are more than 20 properties per kilometre on both sides of the road, with consideration given to their proximity, visibility, road layout, and access points

The assessment guidance specifies that if the answer is “YES” to any of these criteria, then a 30mph speed limit would not be appropriate.

Further details of the criteria can be found on the Welsh Government Webpage.

All requests on A and B roads were considered as part of the review process in accordance with the Welsh Government guidance. During 2025/26 Officers will undertake a review of ‘C’ Class and Unclassified Roads and as part of a second phase.

Due to the high volume of requests, we’ve been unable to respond to each one individually. However, please be assured that every request has been recorded and carefully considered.

The next steps will be for officers to commence consultation on the proposed lengths 30mph speed limits on A and B Class roads, this process will include seeking the views of the statutory stakeholders which include the local member, Community/Town Council, Police, Fire Service, Ambulance Services, Freight and Haulage Associations and relevant bus operator. We will also be consulting with those residents whose properties that front the road that is proposed for change.

Following consultation, a decision will then be made as to whether the proposals progress to advert in the form of a Public Notice pertaining to the draft Traffic Regulation Order. The draft Order will then be open to comment/objection by the wider community.