Consultation launched over trial of 20mph speed limit in Flintshire communities

A consolation has been launched over the introduction of a trial 20mph speed limit in four Flintshire communities in a bid to improve road safety.

The county is one of eight areas across Wales taking part in the pilot scheme under Welsh Government plans to make 20mph the default speed limit in residential areas instead of 30mph.

The measures are set to be introduced on roads in Buckley, Mynydd Isa, Bryn y Baal and New Brighton, except for main distributor roads which will remain 30mph.

It follows figures being published which show half of all road accidents which resulted in injury in 2018 happened in 30mph zones.

Flintshire Council is now encouraging residents to have their say on the proposals as part of an informal consultation exercise.

In a notice posted on the local authority’s website, officials said: “The council have successfully secured funding to implement a 20mph pilot scheme across the inventory of residential roads within Bryn Y Baal, Buckley, Mynydd Isa and New Brighton, with the exception of the main distributor roads for which will remain 30mph.

“The area has been selected as one of eight areas, ahead of a planned national rollout for 2023.

“The implementation of a 20mph scheme would bring considerable benefits of improving road safety within the wider residential area.

“In addition the scheme will also act as an ‘enabler’ to both facilitate and complement the implementation of key active travel infrastructure within the area, making it safer to walk and cycle within the town and villages.”

The plans will see 20mph signs and road markings installed in pilot areas to alert drivers to the changes.

The council said the roads which would be exempt included A, B and C roads, and strategic routes.

All roads that currently have a speed limit of 40mph, 50mph and 60mph will remain as they are and will not be affected by the scheme.

The consultation, which can be found on the authority’s website, is open until midnight on April 16, 2021 and will later be followed by a formal statutory consultation.

Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter (more here).