50mph limits to tackle air pollution

Speed limits are to be reduced on some major Welsh roads to improve air quality. Drivers will be restricted from exceeding 50 mph on five stretches of motorways and A-roads, the Welsh Government has announced.

The measures come into force within the next two months in areas where nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels are above legal limits.

The UK and Welsh governments have been ordered by the High Court to put plans in place to tackle pollution after failing to meet European Union targets.

The roads affected are the M4 at Port Talbot and Newport, A494 at Deeside, A483 at Wrexham and A470 between Upper Boat and Pontypridd.

Reducing speed limits from 70mph to 50mph will cut NO₂ emissions by “up to 18%”, according to the Welsh Government.

Reduced speed limits are part of a £20m Air Quality Fund which has been put to public consultation.

Ministers propose stopping or restricting the most polluting vehicles from entering Clean Air Zones to cut congestion and emissions.

Environment Minister Hannah Blythyn said: “I am committed to taking action to reduce air pollution in Wales to support a healthier future for our communities and protect our natural environment.

“I am delighted to announce a package of measures to improve air quality in Wales, including a £20m fund to help local authorities put arrangements in place.”

Andrea Lee, of campaign group ClientEarth, said: “The Welsh Government has already admitted that it has been slow off the mark in dealing with this public health crisis,” she said. “We will be scrutinising these draft proposals to uphold people’s right to breathe clean air across Wales.”

RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said: “Ironically there will be stretches of road where drivers actually struggle to reach anything like 50mph and if there’s one thing worse for air quality than vehicles hurtling along at high speed, it’s where they sit nose to tail in jams.”

AA president Edmund King added: “If speed limits are to be reduced on parts of the M4 in Wales it should be a flexible system that varies speeds and is linked to air-quality monitoring, so the speed limits are only reduced when air-quality levels are exceeded.”