Deputy minister defends rollout of 20mph speed limit and hits out at road sign vandals
The deputy minister who oversaw the introduction of the controversial 20mph speed limit has defended its rollout across Wales.
Speaking this week Lee Waters MS, deputy minister for climate change, also described the vandalism of speed limit signs as a “waste of scarce resources.”
Mr Waters and the Welsh Government have faced fierce criticism from some quarters since the rollout of the 20mph speed limit in mid-September.
A petition calling for the new speed limit to be revoked and for roads to return to 30mph has gathered more than 464,000 signatures at the time of writing.
The deputy minister for climate change has also faced a vote of no confidence which was brought to the Senedd by the Welsh Conservatives.
However the vote failed to pass, with members of Welsh Labour, Plaid Cymru and the sole Liberal Democrat MS backing Mr Waters.
On Tuesday Mr Waters, along with Minister for Climate Change Julie James, met with council leaders, cabinet members and transport officers from across Wales to discuss the implementation of 20mph in their areas.
Mr Waters said: “This was an opportunity to reflect on the nationwide roll-out, share good practice, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
“I also placed on record my heartfelt thanks to our partners in local government for their continued support.
“They have dealt with a colossal task: the culmination of years of debate and discussion, extensive trials, and many months of intensive preparatory work ahead of the Wales-wide launch on 17 September.
“This is an important change, and it will take some time to bed in.”
Mr Waters also hit out at those who have vandalised 20mph speed limit signs.
In some areas the new signage has been torn down, vandalised and defaced.
Mr Waters said: “Changing road signs at this pace and scale is an unprecedented undertaking and that has been compounded by the totally unacceptable vandalism of signs we have seen in some places.
“This action will not lead to a change in the policy and the default speed limit but is a waste of scarce resources and officer time when councils are contending with a range of different pressures.”
He added: “Despite calls from some, the message from highway authorities in Wales has been very clear – we want to allow time for the new speeds to settle before making changes to the exceptions guidance.
“We will respect that feedback and have agreed to work collaboratively with local highway authorities to reflect on the application of the guidance in different parts of Wales.
“We will also look at the approach taken to roads on the threshold between 20mph and 30mph, as well as supporting councils where they are keen to rapidly address obvious anomalies.
“This work, and our wider dialogue with local authorities on the implementation of 20mph, will help establish whether clarifications are needed to encourage greater consistency across Wales, and we will aim to share learnings and feedback by the end of the year.
“Finally, we have agreed to be flexible with the funding available to councils this financial year, and the next, so that they have the resources they need to continue supporting the delivery of this important change.”
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