No 'strict deadline' on 20mph changes as Welsh councils move ahead at different speeds
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There is no "strict deadline" for councils to make changes to 20mph roads in Wales - but funding is for a set period. Welsh Government last year changed the guidance over "exception" roads - ones that can stay 30mph - due to the backlash over the default 20mph limit.
This is expected to see hundreds of roads change from 20mph to 30mph in the next few months, with Wrexham the first North Wales council to start making adjustments. Flintshire is also quite well ahead with its move to return some roads back to 30mph while Anglesey has started a consultation on the 25 routes it plans to move back to the higher speed.
But some local authorities have not yet finalised lists. A round-up on where the councils in North Wales are up to is here.
Transport Secretary Ken Skates told North Wales Live there was no "strict deadline" on completing the process. But he did say the extra funding for councils to make the changes is for this financial year.
He added that the most important thing was finding "consensus" over a policy that has proved hugely divisive, but has also delivered reductions in crashes, deaths, and injuries on Welsh roads.
Mr Skates said: "The timing is determined by the local authorities themselves but some councils are moving really quickly, like Wrexham for example. 52 routes and most will be done in June so the change will take place before the summer holidays.
"I think Flintshire is at an advanced stage as well. We have regular meetings with local authorities to ascertain where they are in terms of reverting back to 30mph on certain routes but it is being driven at a local authority level. There is no deadline but the funding has been provided for this financial year."
He added: "It is vital to generate consensus over this issue, it has been divisive and difficult, it has divided families. I know families rowing for months over this. It is important to get to a point where there is consensus that where 20mph exists it is on the right roads, and where roads revert back to 30mph it is done in a sensible and safe way.
"Where I was in Johnstown this week people were saying 'where I'm standing is a housing estate and it is right you keep 20mph here but that road that serves it, that's got to go back to 30mph'.
"Thankfully we were actually in the process of changing it back while we were talking. I think common sense is being applied." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
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