‘Wales-wide 20mph urban speed limit will improve quality of life’
Newport East AM John Griffiths explains why he believes the time has come for a lower speed limit on our inner urban roads...
THE case for extending reduced speeds to many more of our neighbourhoods is strong and building.
A default 20mph limit on local roads would turn current practice on its head.
Instead of 30mph, applying unless a lower speed is considered more appropriate, 20mph would be the norm, subject to the circumstances of particular roads justifying exceptions. Roads would be safer, meaning a greater protection of life and limb.
It allows local communities to reclaim their streets by encouraging more walking and cycling to improve health and fitness, fosters community interaction and cohesion, facilitates children to play outside and tackles air pollution.
This is an idea and policy that is already established and growing across the world in other countries and global organisations.
In the Netherlands, 70% of urban roads have a 30km or lower limit. In Scandinavian countries it is becoming the norm in villages and towns.
In fact. throughout Europe these restrictions are increasingly being set across complete authorities, with exceptions for major roads, with segregated facilities, such as cycle paths.
Our fellow devolved nations are also looking to introduce this policy.
In November last year in Scotland, Green MSP Mark Ruskell proposed such a bill.
It is currently out for consultation and would be hugely significant for road safety if passed. I am calling on the Welsh Government to do the same.
People wrongly assume that lower limits delay journey times. Yet, average city speeds are generally well below 20mph, owing to congestion and queues. And traffic flows more freely at 20mph than 30mph – drivers make better use of road space by packing closer and junctions work more efficiently and at a higher capacity as it’s easier to merge.
We must continue to try to find robust interventions that will have positive effects on the challenges facing public health today – air pollution, obesity and road traffic injuries are all inter-related.
Introducing 20mph limits is a tangible action plan that would deliver significant progress for the Welsh population.
As a Welsh Government minister, I was pleased to take forward the Active Travel Act, passed in 2013.
It places a legal duty on local authorities in Wales to audit existing routes for walking and cycling and then plan and deliver a comprehensive network of routes to work, school and local facilities. Lower speeds will facilitate this.
Of course, issues of observance and enforcement will have to be addressed.
As highlighted by the recent cautionary comments of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport, in responding to the consultation on the Scottish Bill, drivers may simply ignore restrictions.
However, they themselves state that local authorities, police and community support, with accompanying speed bumps, enforcement and educational measures, offer a solution.
Having led a debate on the issues at the Senedd, which elicited cross-party support, I will be hosting a roundtable event when the Assembly returns in a few weeks.
The discussions will include a Q&A session with experts in the field including Rod King, founder of 20’s Plenty, Dr Sarah Jones from Public Health Wales, Professor Alan Tapp from UWE, who has done significant research on compliance and speed limits, Jeff Cuthbert, Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner, and Steve Brooks, chief executive of Sustrans Cymru, along with representatives from the Welsh Government.
In addition, the 20’s Plenty campaign is holding an autumn conference in Cardiff and I am very pleased to be one of the guest speakers.
Clearly momentum is building for this change.
In these times of prolonged UK austerity, Wales has to strive for policies which are both affordable and deliverable – and will make a significant contribution to improving our quality of life.
I believe a Wales-wide 20mph default speed limit on our inner urban roads is one such policy.
I am hopeful that a continuing open and informed debate will deliver important safety, health, community and environmental benefits across our country.