Wrexham MP calls on first minister candidates to axe 20mph speed limit

Wrexham’s Member of Parliament has called on the two candidates for Wales’ next first minister to axe the Welsh Government’s 20mph policy.

Sarah Atherton MP has branded the speed limit, which was introduced in September 2023, as a “disastrous policy” which “continues to be hugely unpopular.”

The speed limit has been controversial since its introduction, with a petition gaining over 468,000 signatures since September.

Ms Atherton has previously written to the Welsh Government last year after receiving reports from constituents that damage was being inflicted to their vehicles following the default speed limit reduction to 20mph.

She also took part in a rally against the 20mph policy in Gwersyllt back in October, and she has been running a 20mph survey on her website to gauge the views of her constituents.

Ms Atherton also recently met with the Chief Executive at Wrexham Council to discuss the local authority’s response to the national policy.

According to Ms Atherton Wrexham Council has reportedly stated that it is delaying a borough-wide review of the default speed limit, adding that it will not be applying exemptions to any 20mph roads until the new First Minister has taken office and delivered their own review.

Earlier this week Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters, confirmed that he had met with local authority leaders to agree a review of the controversial 20mph speed limit.

A letter posted on X by Lee Waters, deputy minister for climate change, explained that a panel had been appointed to oversee the review and that an interim report will be provided next month. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌‌‌​‍‌​​​‌​‌‌‍‌​​​‌‌​‌‍‌​​‌‌‌‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌​​‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‌​​

The panel will prepare draft conclusions and initial recommendations for consideration and then for submission to the Welsh Government for publication in February 2024

He added that “if you feel your street should go back to 30mph you can let them (local councils) know why.”

Sarah Atherton MP has now called on Vaughan Gething MS and Jeremy Miles MS, who are both vying to become the next leader of Welsh Labour and first minister, to commit to repealing the policy.

Both have indicated that they would support a review of the 20mph speed limit but would not go as far as scrapping it completely.

Sarah Atherton MP commented: “Both Welsh Labour Party candidates vying to replace the outgoing First Minister have a huge in-tray to deal with to even begin clearing the mess that has been left by the outgoing First Minister and his Welsh Labour Government.

“It is shameful that it has taken a leadership election for both candidates to finally listen to the people of Wales, discover their voices and find the courage to support a review into the policy that they both supported as key members of Mark Drakeford’s Cabinet. It is electioneering at its best.

“The Welsh Labour Government’s disastrous policy continues to be hugely unpopular to the extent that even the most loyal of Drakeford’s disciples are now turning against his legacy policy.

“Coincidentally, this happens at the exact same time that the candidates need to turn their ears outwardly from the echo chamber in Cardiff Bay to people that matter: the people of Wales.

“I am calling on both candidates to listen to my constituents and residents across Wales more widely, and commit to repealing the 20mph default speed limit.”

A spokesperson for Wrexham Council said: “Since the introduction of the change in national speed limit , locally in Wrexham we have, and are undertaking, some pre and post limit reviews and will digest the results and assess next steps before any further changes are contemplated with full consideration of the published national guidance.

“The Welsh Government has recently confirmed the intention to undertake a review of the policy change and will consider the results of the review and likely publish updated guidance for the introduction of the national speed limit and the application of exemptions to the 20mph limit.

“Full details of how to claim compensation for damage to a vehicle for any reason is available on our website.”