A council plans to revert back to 30mph in some areas despite a new default 20mph speed limit following a trial period. Monmouthshire County Council made public its proposals to introduce varying speed limits in Caldicot, Magor, Undy and Rogiet following a meeting of elected councillors for Severnside.
The area has been one of eight to trial the default 20mph speed limit ahead of a Senedd decision earlier this month to introduce 20mph as the national speed limit on residential roads in Wales. The plans will affect 30mph roads with street lights fewer than 200 yards apart, though there will be some exceptions.
In May many motorists in Caldicot spoke to WalesOnline about their frustrations with the plans, saying they largely supported the 20mph limit near schools and on highly residential roads, but did not understand the changes being implemented on the B4245 main route through Caldicot. The changes, aimed at preventing accidents, improving air quality and increasing walking and cycling, can be overturned by local authorities.
READ MORE: Tens of thousands of people call on Welsh Government to drop 20mph plan
In a statement, Monmouthshire council said it had made the decision to propose a reversal of some of the roads back to 30mph in some parts to “address some of the community concerns raised while balancing this with the benefits of reducing speed limits”. The new proposals are for the B4245 to revert to 30mph from Mitel roundabout through Castlegate Business Park to Portskewett.
In the latest proposals, subject to a 28-day consultation process, Caldicot could also revert back to 30mph from Woodstock Way to Mitel roundabout - but that stretch will include a part-time 20mph area operating during school start and finish times for Durand School and Caldicot Comprehensive School.
The B4245 between Undy and Rogiet will become 40mph and the rural stretch from Rogiet to Caldicot will remain 40mph. Some said the changes didn’t go far enough, while others told WalesOnline they hoped the new proposals would not be a sign of councils buckling under pressure from motorists.
Taxi driver Daniel Thompson said: “The B4245 from Magor to Portskewett is seven miles long and to drive at 20mph is adding a lot more time on journeys. In the side streets and schools people are very understanding with the restrictions on speed. However, from Magor through Caldicot there have been very few accidents over the years when original speeds were there.
“I had an incident a few weeks ago where it took me 25 minutes to get from Magor to Portskewett to get an elderly lady to her doctor’s appointment. I got her there with one minute to spare. We were held up due to traffic and speed restrictions.
“Traffic is a lot worse currently. Emissions are a lot higher due to idling engines. I am putting more wear and tear on my engine.
“Questions should first have been put to the public before implementing this. I get it works in larger areas such as Cardiff or London where there are a lot more pedestrians, but not in an area like this.”
Professor Paul Lewis of Swansea University's medical school, who is Director of the Centre for Health and Environmental Management Research and Innovation, said: "There are some small likely benefits to vehicles driving at 20mph, relative to higher speeds, in that the tiny particulates (PM2.5 and PM10) that come from brake dust and tyre wear is reduced as people brake less than they would at higher speeds. There is still a lack of evidence as to the exact amount of reduction in air pollution though. What is accepted is that a speed restriction of 20 mph does not increase air pollution."
Cyclist and motorist Gareth Price said he believes the 20mph default limit will help people feel more comfortable with getting on their bike. “I have cycled around Caldicot, Magor, Undy and Rogiet for years and now if I don’t have three or four closes passes on a ride I’d count that as a success,” Gareth explained.
“And I’m riding at speed - sometimes 20mph. Since the trial if a driver follows the 20mph speed limit there is generally compliance behind them. Not everyone follows the limit.
“The difference between 30mph and 20mph for a mile in a car is 60 seconds and I do think some drivers seem to forget that. I feel much safer with the new limits. Generally in the UK our roads are not safe for cyclists.
“There is a school just off the main road through Caldicot and if you invite drivers to stick to a rule at certain times the chances are they are not very likely to obey it. I think that our councils need to have a strength of will and resolve and to see the full picture.”
John Griffiths, MS for Newport East, which covers Severnside, said earlier in July that he was pleased with the outcome of the Senedd vote. “[It] will bring us a step closer to a lower default speed limit across Wales,” he said. “I have campaigned with organisations such as 20s Plenty and Sustrans Cymru for several years, who I know support the steps being taken by Welsh Government to make our roads safer and more environmentally friendly.
“I recognise though there have been problems on sections of the B4245 in Severnside. I am pleased the newly elected Labour leadership are now rectifying these issues and making changes to the pilot to address the problems which have occurred. It will be down to local councils to implement these measures and that’s why it must be done in a way which consults and takes local residents with them.”
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