20mph speed limits in Wales

The Senedd passed The Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022 legislation in 2022. This means speed limits on most restricted roads will reduce from 30mph to 20mph from 17 September 2023.

Restricted roads are classed as those streets that include street lights placed no more than 200 yards apart. They are usually located in residential and built-up areas with high pedestrian activity.

Reducing the default speed limit from 30mph to 20mph in these areas could see a number of benefits, including:

• a reduction in the number of road collisions
• more opportunities to walk and cycle in our communities
• helping to improve our health and wellbeing
• making our streets safer
• safeguarding the environment for future generations.
• reduced severity of injury if collisions do occur

Wales will be one of the first countries in the world and the first nation in the UK to introduce legislation to have a 20mph speed limit on roads where cars mix with pedestrians and cyclists.

These changes support:

• Welsh Government’s Programme for Government commitment
• Llwybr Newydd: the Wales Transport Strategy, which prioritises walking and cycling above all other modes of travel
• Future Wales: the national plan 2040, which sets the aim for people to live in places where travel has a low environmental impact.

20mph Speed Limits to make our roads safer

Local authorities have been asked to identify roads or sections of roads which they believe should remain at 30mph (Exceptions).

Caerphilly Council has developed a number of Exceptions across the borough and a report detailing the recommendations was submitted to councils Cabinet for approval on the 26^th July 2023. At that meeting, Cabinet approved the making of the Caerphilly County Borough Council Speed Limits Traffic Regulation Order 2023 as amended and the additional signage and road markings as detailed within that report. The approved Exceptions can also be viewed in the 30mph Exceptions webpage.