We introduced a default 20mph speed limit on restricted roads across Wales in September 2023.
What we did
Wales was one of the first countries in the world, and the first nation in the UK, to introduce legislation to have a default 20mph speed limit.
The change applied to restricted roads only. These are usually in residential and built-up areas where there are lots of people. They often have street lights on them, placed no more than 200 yards apart.
We worked with the organisations responsible for roads in Wales:
- highway authorities
- Trunk Road Agents (TRAs), who operate the strategic road network
- local authorities, who are responsible for county roads
Together, using our guidance we identified which roads should have a 20mph limit.
Not all 30mph roads changed to 20mph. These roads are known as exceptions. Local Authorities decided which roads should remain at 30mph based on guidance we provided. There are 30mph signs in place to tell you this.
All highway authorities must follow the statutory process on traffic regulation Orders to make exceptions.
A map on DataMapWales shows which roads remain at 30mph.
Why we did it
We made this change to:
- reduce the number of collisions and severe injuries from them (also reducing the impact on the NHS from treating the people who are injured)
- encourage more people to walk and cycle in our communities
- help to improve our health and well-being
- make our streets safer
Early impacts
Before introducing the new speed limit, we trialled it in 8 communities across Wales:
- St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire
- Llanelli North, Carmarthenshire
- St Brides Major, Vale of Glamorgan
- Central North, Cardiff
- Cilfrew Village, Neath Port Talbot
- Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
- Severnside, Monmouthshire
- Buckley, Flintshire
Overall, we found speed in these areas reduced.
You can read more in the monitoring reports on the Transport for Wales (TfW) website.