News

Ahead of the anniversary of the introduction of the 20mph default speed limit in Wales, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, has set out the next steps.

Earlier this year, the Cabinet Secretary announced a three phase-plan on 20mph,  including a National Listening Programme over the summer, which encouraged people to get involved and have their say. Welsh Government published revised guidance for highway authorities in July.

The first two phases of the plan are complete. Local authorities are now in the process of reviewing feedback from people, business, and communities across Wales to ensure 20mph is targeted on the right roads.

A number of councils are now starting to set out the final stage of the plan by publishing information on the amount of feedback received and the next steps.

Once their review  is complete, if local authorities decide to change the speed limit on an individual road, a statutory Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process will commence – providing a further opportunity for engagement with local people.

The latest statistics provide encouraging signs that things are moving in the right direction, with a fall in collisions and a reduction in speeds.

Speaking ahead of the one-year anniversary, Ken Skates said:

“I wanted to give people a voice on 20mph in their area and I am grateful to everyone who has shared feedback with their local council over the past few months.

“I want to build from the broad consensus that 20mph is right where people live, work and play – this is about getting the right speeds on the right roads.

“I want to pay tribute to our partners in local government. I’m pleased that local authorities are starting to move into the final stages of the plan. This will move at different paces in different places, according to local circumstances and the amount of feedback received.”

Chair of the Welsh Local Government Association, Cllr Andrew Morgan added:

“Local authorities welcome the further funding and support offered by the Welsh Government to get the right speeds on the right roads but are faced with challenging decisions. We will need to carefully balance the benefits and disbenefits of raising speeds. Safety of all road users will be at the heart of the decisions we take.”

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates today confirmed plans that will enable a major rail capacity boost on the North Wales Mainline in 2026.

On hundreds of roadsides across Wales’ strategic road network, work is underway to better manage and increase the biodiversity of grass verges as part of the Welsh Government’s Llwybr Newydd i Natur – the Nature Recovery Action Plan.  

Ministers in Wales and Westminster have agreed to ‘work in partnership’ to reform the railway, improve infrastructure, and deliver better services for passengers.

The Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, Ken Skates has welcomed plans by the UK Government to begin the process of bringing rail services into public ownership across Great Britain. 

New guidance to support highways authorities when making decisions on local speed limits has been published today.  

The first jobs fair and conference for veterans, service leavers and families in North Wales has taken place in Wrexham, linking the Armed Forces community directly with local and national employers.

Motorists are advised the section of the A465 between the A470 (Cefn Coed) junction and the temporary roundabout at Pant Industrial Estate will be fully closed for five weeks this summer, to allow for important work to be completed sooner and with less uncertainty for the travelling public.

New road collision data published today shows that casualties have reduced on roads since the introduction of the new 20mph speed limits in September last year.

In his first appearance at the UK Parliament Transport Committee as Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, Ken Skates set out his three asks of the UK Government as well as his ambition for a fully integrated, efficient system which meets the needs of Welsh passengers.

Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, Ken Skates has been visiting Buckley today (Friday 10 May) to listen to feedback from councillors about the local feeling around 20mph in and around the town.