Following views from transport expert Professor Stuart Cole, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for transport Natasha Asghar MS, has expressed concern for the unseen costs that Labour’s 20mph blanket project will have on the Welsh Economy.
Ms Asghar said, “The concerns raised by Professor Stuart Cole highlight even further the lack of thinking the Labour Government has done on this policy.
“For over a year I have been saying, whether its our emergency services reaching incidents slower, people taking longer to get to work, delivery vans taking more time or cuts to bus routes to accommodate the longer time – this ludicrous policy is going to impact every part of everyone’s lives.”
She added, “With just three weeks till the default speed limit comes into force, these unseen costs on top of the £4.5 billion from the Labour Government administration does not make for kind reading with the devastating impact this policy will have on the Welsh economy and people from all corners of Wales.”
Prof Cole wrote in Nation Cymru that the lower limit will impact timetables, working hours, staffing levels, fuel and maintenance bills and would not help public services if they have to sit behind other vehicles in traffic rather than utilise dedicated bus lanes.
He added that there would be similar implications for delivery vehicles and also emergency services.