Joel James MS, alongside his Welsh Conservative colleagues, has tonight voted to scrap the 20mph default speed limit in the Welsh Parliament.
This month marks one year since the Labour Welsh Government introduced default 20mph speed limits across Wales, the same 20mph speed limit that the Welsh Government’s osaid would cost the Welsh economy up to £8.9 billion.
Since then, we've seen the record breaking Senedd petition to scrap 20mph speed limits reaching 469,571 signatures.
Today, the Welsh Conservatives brought forward a Senedd motion noting the anniversary of default 20mph speed limits, and calling on the Welsh Government to repeal the default 20mph speed limit.
The motion which will be debated reads:
To propose that the Senedd:
- Recognises the default 20mph speed limit has been in place in Wales for over one year.
- Notes:
- the 469,571 signatories to the Senedd petition: 'We want the Welsh Government to rescind and remove the disastrous 20mph law';
- the Welsh Government’s own Explanatory Memorandum to The Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022 which identified an economic dis-benefit of up to £8.9 billion arising from longer journey times associated with the default 20mph speed limit policy;
- the former Deputy Minister for Transport’s comments that ‘more common sense’ should have been used when implementing Wales’ 20mph speed limit;
- Transport for Wales’ air quality monitoring report wherein half of tested areas saw rises in nitrogen dioxide levels inside 20mph zones compared with outside; and
- Welsh local authorities have received requests for thousands of roads to revert from 20mph to 30mph.
- Calls on the Welsh Government to:
- repeal the default 20mph speed limit; and
- work with Welsh local authorities to deliver a targeted approach to 20mph speed limits with the consent of local people.
Speaking after the motion, Joel said:
Today I joined fellow Welsh Conservatives in voting to scrap the 20MPH default speed limit in the Welsh Parliament - sadly, we were defeated.
There has been overwhelming opposition to this proposal, but Welsh Labour just won't listen to the Welsh electorate.
If you'd like to tell me your views, please consider filling out the survey on my website.
