Deadline extended to feedback on 20mph speed limit on Carmarthenshire roads

Following the Welsh Government’s announcement on Tuesday, 16 July 2024, that it has published new guidance to support highways authorities when making decisions on 20mph speed limits, Carmarthenshire County Council has extended the closing date of its 20mph speed limit survey, to 31 August.

The County Council’s online survey was published in April (after the Welsh Government outlined their plans for a review of the national 20mph speed limit implementation guidelines), to accept suggestions on which roads its residents and businesses believe should be exempted from the 20mph national speed limit in the County.

Over 500 correspondences, to date, have been accepted from residents and businesses. Just over 300 responses have requested for specific A-roads and B-roads to be reviewed in the county, 37 requests for other roads to be reviewed, 85 have expressed their view that all roads should revert to 30mph with the exception of roads outside schools, hospitals, playgrounds and community halls, and 108 responses have expressed their support of the introduction of the 20mph speed limit or suggested a 20mph speed limit on other roads in the county.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ONLINE SURVEY.

Alternatively, residents and businesses can email suggestions, along with valid reasons, for why a road should be exempted from the 20mph national speed in the county: 20mphspeedlimits@carmarthenshire.gov.uk. Those contributing with their views are asked to provide their postal address to assist the Council in its review process.

The feedback gathered by the survey will be reviewed by the County Council from September, with officers prioritising the county’s strategic network (principally A-roads and B-roads). Any section of road deemed suitable for a change back to 30mph will be subject to a formal statuary traffic order process, which will include public consultation on specific traffic orders as part of the process.

Please note, that the Local Authority cannot act on general comments about the 20mph National Policy, as this is a matter for the Welsh Government. Accordingly, the Council can only act within the parameters of the national guidance as set out by the Welsh Government.

If your feedback relates to Trunk Roads, these are not the responsibility of Local Authorities. Please email feedback relating to a Trunk Road to TrunkRoads20mph@gov.wales.

More information on Trunk Roads is available on Datamap Wales.

Resident and businesses that are supportive of a 20mph speed limit on a road where they live or work are also encouraged to have their say on the matter, by emailing 20mphspeedlimits@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Carmarthenshire County Council will be accepting suggestions from the public until 31 August.

Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services, Cllr. Edward Thomas said:

In light of the Welsh Government’s new guidance, we are extending the window in which people can express their views on which specific road in Carmarthenshire should be exempt from the 20mph speed limit and which roads have benefited from the introduction of lowering the default speed limit.

In order to properly gather people’s views and opinions, all submissions must reference a specific section of road, accompanied by valid reasons. Submissions stating that ‘all roads’ should return to a 30mph speed limit or remove all 20mph speed limits will not be considered, as 20mph is the national default speed limit set by Welsh Government.”

Reporting Speeding Concerns

The role of enforcing the existing speed limit rests with the Police and GoSafe. You can submit a community speeding concern directly with GoSafe.

Further information on the Police and GoSafe’s approach to enforcing the 20mph can be found on the GoSafe website.

Further information about the 20mph speed limit can be found on the Welsh Government’s frequently asked questions webpage.