Wales speed limit cannot be overruled
THE default 20mph speed limit on residential roads being introduced across Wales later this year cannot be overruled by Westminster, it has been confirmed.
The Welsh Government plans to implement the new law in September 2023.
Local authorities will be able to set a higher speed limit, but unless a decision is made to exempt a particular road, the 20mph limit will come into effect automatically. There has been a mixed reception to the reform, with some communities welcoming it on the grounds that it makes local roads safer, while others oppose it, saying it is unnecessary and unenforceable.
Some opponents of 20mph speed limits were buoyed by news that the UK Government’s Department for Transport (DfT) had intervened to effectively block a 20mph pilot scheme in Wandsworth, south London.
The trial scheme saw local drivers become the first in England to face being fined by a local council for speeding.
The DfT stopped Wandsworth council contacting drivers caught breaking 20mph limits and said the way the authority used its powers to enforce it was “unlawful”.
The Labour-run authority put up speed cameras to catch drivers breaking 20mph limits on two roads in the borough where residents often complain about speeding in November 2022.
The eight-month pilot scheme meant drivers caught breaking the rules faced fines of up to £130 from the council.
There was an aspiration to make the scheme permanent and extend it to other roads if successful, as well as rolling it out across London.
But the DfT intervened to stop the DVLA in Swansea sharing details of drivers caught speeding under the scheme with the council.
A DfT spokesman told London Live: “Wandsworth council is carrying out this experimental speed enforcement trial using powers in a way that is unlawful.
“We have therefore taken immediate action and asked DVLA to stop sharing registered keeper details with Wandsworth
council for the purpose of enforcing this scheme.”
The council said it had issued warning letters to drivers caught breaking the speed limit on the trial roads but had not handed out any fines. It was disappointed with the DfT’s decision and in ongoing talks about the future of the trial.
The council announced the crackdown after a string of complaints about speeding drivers from residents.
Traffic studies conducted over eight weeks revealed that one in four vehicles broke the speed limit in one of the trial roads while in another it was one in five, the council said.
Speeding offences are usually enforced by the Metropolitan Police but the council said officers tended to concentrate on main roads and dual carriageways.
After introducing the scheme, the council said the number of vehicles travelling over 25mph on the roads has fallen from 13% to 6.6%.
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “In Wales, enforcement and where it will be targeted is being trialled by a variety of methods in the eight 20mph first-phase settlements.
“Here enforcement is being undertaken by Go Safe, the police, community speed watch and enforcement cameras.
“In addition, the Fire and Rescue Service has been involved in developing an education programme called Just one Minute, which is offered to those breaking the speed limit if they don’t want to take a fine and penalty points.
“However, those motorists who have total disregard for the speed limit are being fined and will go to court for excessively breaking this speed limit.”
The UK Government said the powers to set speed limits in Wales were devolved, so the Welsh Government could legally set the speed limit to 20mph as it was progressing to do.
Since it was a devolved matter, there could be no comment on the Welsh Government’s position.