Between the 25th January and 9 February 2023, Flintshire County Council, supported by Welsh Government, held a number of public engagement events for residents of Buckley, Mynydd Isa, New Brighton, Drury, Burntwood, Bryn Y Baal and Alltami, where 12 months earlier 20mph speed restrictions had been introduced as part of Welsh Government’s Phase One Settlement Scheme.

Those who attended were given information about Welsh Government’s 20mph legislation and the criteria for its implementation, along with information about the role of local councils and the introduction of 20mph speed restrictions on local roads.

On this page you will find the information shared at these sessions. 

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The role of Welsh Government

The Legislation

• Legislation was laid in the Senedd on 12th July 2022 to make this change and following a debate and vote it was passed and becomes law on 17th September 2023.
• The Order reduces the general speed limit for restricted roads to 20mph unless a different speed limit is set by the highway authority by Order.
• A restricted road is a road with a system of street lighting furnished by means of lamps posted not more than 200 yards apart.

The Criteria

• Restricted roads are typically located within residential areas and currently have a speed limit of 30mph.
• A 20mph speed limit should be applied where there is potential for pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles to mix in a frequent manner, with 30mph only being considered where strong evidence exists that higher speeds are safe.
• ‘Place’ criteria have been developed to determine where 20mph speed limits should be applied, providing a consistent approach across Wales.

Place Criteria

Within 100m walk of…

• Any educational setting e.g. primary, secondary further education and higher education
• Any community centre
• Any hospital
• Where the number of residential and/or retail premises fronting a road exceeds 20 properties per km

Source: www.gov.wales

Possible additional criteria for 20mph

There may be sections of road where there are (potentially) significant demands, for walking and cycling which do not meet any of the place criteria, but where a 20mph speed limit may be appropriate:

• land on either side of the carriageway is open parkland and/or sports fields in regular use by people on foot and/or cycle
• regularly used accesses to schools or hospitals are along the road, even though this may be more than 100m from their main entrances
• there is a designated active travel route on the carriageway
• where the number and/or type of collisions occurring along the road means that the road users and the local community would gain significant road safety and other benefits from a speed limit of 20mph.

Exceptions Criteria

• Most exceptions are expected to be made on main routes carrying traffic through urban areas, where there is little pedestrian/cyclist activity.
• Exceptions should not normally be made on roads that typically carry mostly local traffic and serve only residential properties and where people walk and cycle.
• Decisions on exceptions should not be influenced by existing traffic speeds and are made by the local Highway Authority, who know their roads best.

Source: https://www.gov.wales/setting-exceptions-20mph-default-speed-limit-restricted-roads

Roads that could be considered to remain at 30mph

These are purely illustrative examples to demonstrate how evidence-based local decisions could be made:

• Local facilities: Local facilities such as community centres or medical facilities may be located on the road in question, but people may access them on foot and cycle via a different route entirely.
• Residential and retail premises may be one side of the road, but if there is open land on the other side of the road, it could mean there is little need for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road.
• Restricted roads through industrial areas.

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The role of Local Councils

Applying the 20mph Criteria

In February 2022, prior to the publication of Welsh Government’s exception criteria, Flintshire County Council implemented 20mph speed restrictions in Buckley and surrounding areas as part of the Phase One Settlement Scheme. Below are two case studies demonstrating how Welsh Government’s place criteria was applied to local streets and roads.

Case Studies

Restricted Road/Residential Street - Park Avenue, Mynydd Isa
(Implemented February 2022 prior to Welsh Governments Exceptions Criteria)

Restricted Road/Main Road - B5127 Liverpool Road, Buckley
(Implemented February 2022 prior to Welsh Governments Exceptions Criteria)

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The role of local authorities

• Local authorities have a mandatory duty to implement the revised legislation.
• As part of the legislation change, any restricted road will have a speed limit of 20mph unless a different speed limit is set by the highway authority by Order.
• When considering the application of 20mph exceptions, local authorities are required to demonstrate that 'strong evidence' exists that higher speeds are safe. Not all existing 30mph roads will meet this test, and highway authorities should prepare legal Orders to retain the current speed limit for these roads. These are termed ‘exceptions’ to the default speed limit for restricted roads.
• Where their decision deviates from this guidance, highway authorities should have a clear and reasoned case.
• All speed limits are assessed impartially and in accordance with specified national criteria – local authorities do not have the ability to disregard criteria based on personal preference or influence.
• All exceptions must be formally advertised in accordance with the Statutory Consultation procedure and formal objections must be invited and assessed impartially.

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The role of Welsh Government and the Police

Education and Enforcement

• Both GoSafe and Police will continue to support Welsh Government around education, engagement and enforcement now and after September 2023.
• The 8 first phase settlements have been used to test various engagement and enforcement options, including Community Speed Watch, working with schools, the Fire and Rescue Service.
• Welsh Government have appointed an external agency called Lynn to deliver a communication and behaviour change campaign to support the introduction of 20mph.

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20mph public information sessions presentation

To download a copy of the slides, click below.

Buckley & Surrounding Areas 20mph Speed Limit Information Session Slides