A last ditch attempt to block the controversial 20mph default speed limit in Wales coming into effect on Sunday will be made on Wednesday by Welsh Conservatives.
The Welsh Conservatives have tabled a motion in the Senedd on Wednesday calling for The Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022 to be repealed.
Blanket 20mph speed limits in Wales will cost at least £33 million to implement, whilst the Welsh Government’s own explanatory memorandum to the bill has highlighted that 20mph speed limits will cost the Welsh economy up to £9 billion.
In addition to this, concerns have been raised over the summer by Wales’ emergency services, who have outlined that blanket 20mph speed limits will slow their response times down, effectively putting lives at risk. This is all whilst businesses believe their livelihoods will be put on the line, creating mass confusion, yet 20mph speed limits will actually likely increase emissions.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Transport, Natasha Asghar MS said, “Labour’s blanket 20mph speed limits will have a detrimental impact on our economy, emergency services, and the livelihoods of the people in Wales.
“That’s why in the Senedd this week, the Welsh Conservatives are forcing a final vote on the issue, telling the Labour Government to not go ahead with this ludicrous and dangerous policy.”
She added, “With the Labour Government’s own explanatory memorandum to their 20mph bill stating that 20mph speed limits will cost the economy up to a whopping £9 billion, it’s time for Labour to focus on the people’s priorities, which they continue to neglect. We believe this money would be better spent on more doctors, more teachers, and more nurses.
“Now is the time for Labour to put their extreme ideology and mass confusion to one side and scrap barmy blanket 20mph speed limits.”
Welsh Conservatives have already said they will repeal the legislation if they can get a majority in the Senedd’s 2026 election.
