Drivers have been handed a major win after several roads across Wales are set to return to 30mph after nearly two years of operating at lower limits.
Caerphilly County Borough Council revealed that roughly 20 roads across the area are likely to see their speed limits raised from 20mph back to 30mph.
This follows a detailed review by the local council, which has assessed whether some of the reduced limits introduced across Wales should be reversed.
Council officers have now finished examining all the comments they received from the public, with a selection of roads now reverting back to 30mph.
In total, 270 submissions were sent in by residents, covering 120 different roads across the county borough. After looking at each suggestion, officers decided that twenty of these roads should have their limits increased.
These recommended changes are now open to a final round of public consultation. Residents have until November 27 to share any last comments, concerns, or objections before the council makes its final decision.
These proposals form part of a wider shift in Wales’s approach to speed limits. In September 2023, Wales became the first country in the UK to introduce a default 20mph limit on most “restricted roads”, replacing the long-established 30mph rule.
Drivers will see roughly 20 roads return to 30mph following a final consultation
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PA/GETTYThe aim was to improve road safety, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists. However, the change proved highly controversial. Many motorists and communities felt the new limits were unsuitable for certain types of roads and were causing unnecessary delays.
Due to intense criticism, the Welsh Government launched a “listening programme” to gather feedback from the public.
People were invited to identify roads where they believed the 20mph limit did not make sense and where a return to 30mph would be more appropriate.
This programme gave councils across Wales a clear process for reviewing and adjusting speed limits where justified by local conditions.
National 20mph speed limits were rolled out across Wales in 2023
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PAThe council’s recent review was a direct result of this Government initiative, with officers closely examining every submission sent in by residents, considering factors such as traffic flow, road layout, accident history, and the needs of nearby homes, businesses, and schools.
After completing this assessment, they identified several locations where a higher speed limit would be suitable without compromising safety.
Before any changes are made, the council said it would run the final consultation to make sure that everyone who may be affected has the opportunity to comment.
The proposed changes affect a mix of major routes, industrial areas, and residential streets. Larger roads on the list include a section of the A469 Pleasant View in Tirphil and part of the B4251 through Brynawel, stretching from the western edge of Wattsville to where the road meets the national speed limit zone beyond Brynawel.
The council has agreed to turn 20 roads back to higher speed limits
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GETTYSeveral industrial estates are also included, which often include areas where slower limits have been criticised for disrupting deliveries and general business operations.
Some residential roads are also set to return to 30mph, these include Cliff Road in Blackwood, Glen View Terrace in Pentwyn, and Hawtin Park in Gelli Haf, Pontllanfraith.
Other notable roads on the list are High Street in Newbridge between Pennar Lane and the Coed Duon View junctions, parts of Islwyn Road in Crosskeys, and Western Drive in Bargoed between Beech Court and Heol Y Mynydd.
After the consultation closes, council officers will review all the comments they receive and then make their final recommendations on which speed limit changes should go ahead.