New 20mph speed limit in force in parts of city
A NEW 20mph speed limit has come into force across large parts of Cardiff.
Work began earlier in the year to install signs and road markings indicating the new maximum speed – and to remove old 30mph sign – in Llandaff North, Heath, Whitchurch, Tongwynlais and Rhiwbina.
All residential streets in these wards in the capital have now been limited to 20mph as part of a Welsh Government scheme, as of Monday.
The speed limit on Manor Way and Western Avenue, however, will remain at 30mph.
The four council wards covered by the limit are among eight communities in Wales to be chosen as part of the Welsh Government trial to reduce the national speed limit from 30mph to 20mph in residential areas.
Reporter
The scheme was announced last October with Cardiff Council launching a public consultation on the matter that month.
This is the first phase of the Welsh Government’s legislative programme to reduce the national default speed limit on residential roads from 30mph to 20mph in 2023.
The Welsh Government announced its pilot in February last year.
If the pilot is successful, the changes could be rolled out across Wales in 2023, making 20mph the default speed limit in residential areas across the nation.
Other areas in the pilot include St Brides Major, Abergavenny, Severnside,
Buckley, Cilfriw Village, St Dogmaels, and Llanelli North.
During the pilot, the Welsh Government will monitor data on compliance, casualties, and walking and cycling as well as economic, environmental, and health impacts.
The move has previously garnered a mixed reaction, with some readers of our WalesOnline website calling for much-needed improvements to public transport in the city before changing conditions for road users.
Others were concerned about potential increases in traffic jams and the lack of adherence to previously existing 20mph limits.
However, some parents and safety campaign groups argue the move is an imporant step to protecting pedestrians – particularly children – as well as cyclists and other road users.