Our review of 20mph and 30mph trunk roads is now complete, and we propose changes to some roads.
Contents
Background
In September 2023, the default speed limit for residential and unrestricted roads changed to 20mph.
The change affected some trunk roads. Where we needed to keep a 30mph limit, an exception was made through the Traffic Regulation Orders process.
In July 2024, we published guidance to help highway authorities review 20mph and 30mph speed limits on roads they are responsible for.
For trunk roads, this was Welsh Government, North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent (NMWTRA) and South Wales Trunk Road Agent (SWTRA). The public was also invited to have their say.
We have now completed this review.
What will change
Speed limits
We are proposing changes to some 20mph or 30mph speed limits on the trunk road network.
We are also considering introducing buffer speed limits in some areas. These are short sections of road approaching or leaving a 20mph or 30mph speed limit. They help drivers slow down more gradually.
For example, if a driver is travelling at 60mph and is about to enter a 20mph speed limit, we may add a short 40mph section in between.
We may also use buffer speed limits even when the main speed limit on a road is not changing.
All speed limit changes will need new Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs).
People can object to planned changes when the draft TROs are published. The legal process for TROs can take 9 months.
Speed limits may not change on these roads until early 2027.
We do not propose changing speed limits on roundabouts and junctions that join local authority roads.
But we will review speed limit signage at:
- A470 Swansea Road roundabout
- A40 Robeston Wathen roundabout
- A48 Cross Hands roundabout
Other measures
We are also considering engineering measures - such as pedestrian crossings and pavements - to improve safety for people who walk, wheel or cycle.
We may also improve speed limit signage.
Each section of road will be assessed to determine what work is needed.
Where we plan to change speed limits
We propose to change the 20mph or 30mph speed limits on these sections of trunk road:
A40 Glangrwyney
Increase to 30mph on part of the A40. Consider if pedestrian crossing is needed.
A4076 Johnston
Increase to 30mph on part of the A4076
A479 Talgarth
Decrease to 20mph on part of the A479. Consider if pedestrian crossing is needed.
A483 Llandybie
Increase to 30mph on part of the A483.
A487 Aberaeron
Decrease to 20mph on part of the A487 where there is currently a part time 20mph limit.
A487 Aberystwyth, Southgate, Trefechan and A44 Llanbadarn Fawr
Increase to 30mph on part of the A487. No change to the speed limit on the A44.
A487 Corris Uchaf
Decrease to 20mph on part of the A487. Buffer speed limit south of the 20mph.
A40 and A487 Fishguard and Lower Town
Increase to 30mph on part of the A487 and on part of the A40.
A487 and A489 Machynlleth
Increase to 30mph on part of the A487. No change to the existing speed limit on the A489.
A494 Bala
Increase to 30mph on part of the A494. Buffer speed limit north of the 20mph.
Roads where other options will be explored
The 20mph and 30mph speed limit on these sections of trunk road will remain the same, but we will consider introducing:
- buffer speed limits
- pedestrian crossings
- pavements
- improved speed limit signage
A40 and A4076 Cartlett
Consider if pedestrian crossing is needed.
A40 Crickhowell
Buffer speed limits proposed for either side of 20mph limit.
A40 Goodwick
Consider if pedestrian crossing is needed.
A4076 Merlins Bridge
Consider if pedestrian crossings are needed.
A4076 Milford Haven
Consider if pedestrian crossings are needed.
A44 Llangurig
Buffer speed limits proposed for either side of 20mph limit.
A458 Llanfair Caereinion
Buffer speed limits proposed for either side of 20mph limit.
A470 Commins Coch
Buffer speed limits proposed for either side of 20mph limit.
A470 Erwood
Buffer speed limits proposed for the north side of 20mph limit. Consider if a pavement can be installed.
A470 Llan Ffestiniog
Buffer speed limit proposed for the south side of 20mph limit. Consider if pedestrian crossing is needed.
A470 Llanrwst
Buffer speed limit proposed for the north side of 20mph limit.
A470 and A479 Llyswen
Buffer speed limit proposed for the south side of 20mph limit on the A470.
A470 Newbridge-on-wye
Buffer speed limit proposed for the north side of 20mph limit.
A470 and A483 Builth Wells and Llanelwedd
Buffer speed limit proposed for the north side of 20mph limit on the A483.
A40 and A483 Llandovery
Buffer speed limits proposed for all 3 approaches to the 20mph.
A487 Bow Street
Consider if pedestrian crossing is needed.
A487 Newport
Buffer speed limit proposed for the south side of 20mph limit.
A487 Penmorfa
Buffer speed limit proposed for the west side of 20mph limit.
A487 Talybont
Buffer speed limit proposed for the south side of 20mph limit.
A494 Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd
Buffer speed limit proposed for the west side of 20mph limit.
A494 Ruthin
Buffer speed limits proposed for either side of 20mph limit.
A5 Bethesda
Consider if pedestrian crossing is needed.
A5 Betws-y-Coed
Buffer speed limit proposed for the north side of 20mph limit on the A470.
A5 Froncysyllte
Buffer speed limit proposed for the east side of 20mph limit.
A5 Pont Cyfyng near Capel Curig
Buffer speed limit proposed for the south side of 30mph limit.
Roads where no changes or work is proposed
There will be no changes to these sections of trunk road at this time:
- A40 Abergavenny
- A40 Bwlch
- A40 Johnstown
- A40 Sennybridge
- A40 St Clears
- A44 Ponterwyd
- A48 Chepstow
- A458 Welshpool
- A470 Blaenau Ffestiniog
- A470 Caersws
- A470 Dolwyddelan
- A470 Ganllwyd
- A470 Glan Conwy
- A470 Llandinam
- A470 Rhayader
- A477 London Road, Pembroke Dock
- A479 Tretower
- A483 Ammanford, Penybanc and Tycroes
- A483 Crossgates
- A483 Dolfor
- A483 Ffairfach and Llandeilo
- A483 Llandrindod Wells
- A483 Llanwrtyd Wells
- A483 Llanymynech
- A487 Aberarth
- A487 Dinas Cross
- A487 Eglwyswrw
- A487 Llanarth
- A487 Llanfarian
- A487 Llannon
- A487 Llanrhystud
- A487 Penrhyndeudraeth
- A487 Taliesin
- A494 Gwyddelwern
- A5 Corwen
- A5 Glyndyfrdwy
- A5 Llangollen
- A5 Menai Bridge
- A55 Holyhead
- B5125 (Chester Road) and Broughton Roundabout (A55/B5125), Flintshire