A Welsh council has ditched a blanket 20mph speed limit on its roads in response to traffic concerns before the country introduces the measure nationwide.
Drivers reacted furiously when officials in Monmouthshire reduced the limit from 30mph to 20 in a series of villages in March as part of a trial for the new rules to be brought in next year.
Villagers complained traffic was “unnecessarily” slowed down on main routes, while idling engines caused more carbon emissions to pollute the air.
Monmouthshire Council is now reverting many roads back to their former limit – even though the 20mph all-Wales speed limit will be introduced next September under the plans of Mark Drakeford’s Government.
A council spokesman said the changes were coming “to address some of the community concerns raised while balancing this with the benefits of reducing speed limits”.
‘Traffic is a lot worse’
Daniel Thompson, a taxi driver, said: “The B4245 from Magor to Portskewett is seven miles long and to drive at 20mph is adding a lot more time on journeys.
“In the side streets and schools people are very understanding with the restrictions on speed. However, from Magor through Caldicot there have been very few accidents over the years when original speeds were there.
“I had an incident a few weeks ago where it took me 25 minutes to get an elderly lady to her doctor’s appointment. I got her there with one minute to spare. We were held up due to traffic and speed restrictions.
“Traffic is a lot worse currently. Emissions are a lot higher due to idling engines. I am putting more wear and tear on my engine.
“Questions should first have been put to the public before implementing this. I get it works in larger areas such as Cardiff or London where there are a lot more pedestrians, but not in an area like this.”
The Welsh Government will be the first in the world to lower limits on residential roads from 30mph to 20mph in a bid to encourage people to walk and cycle more.
But a petition opposing the plans has already gained more than 38,000 signatures and opposition politicians have blasted the “ridiculous” £32 million plans.
Adie Drury, a Buckley resident, started the petition after her hometown was used as a pilot area for the scheme.
She said: “It is causing chaos, people avoiding the area and people having to take new routes.
“Many of these roads aren’t suitable for a 20mph speed limit. They are busy access roads on steep hills.
“Lorries are struggling to get up the hills in such a low gear and sticking to such a low speed downhill is hard on the brakes.
“This is doing nothing to reduce emissions, instead there will be more pollution from more cars struggling in a lower gear for a longer time.
Campaigners for the rule change say the chances of someone surviving a 20mph collision is seven times higher than at 30mph.
Mark Drakeford, Wales’s First Minister, said: “We know that 20mph zones reduce speed of traffic, reduce accidents – particularly accidents to children. We want to see that become the default position right across Wales.”
The Welsh Government says the move will save £58 million over 30 years due to reduced emergency service demand and hospital treatment.
