Councillors back 20mph speed limits

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

Twenty miles-per-hour speed limits will be introduced to local towns and villages in the coming years after Powys councillors backed a motion to slow traffic down through our built up areas.

Montgomery councillor Stephen Hayes called for the new limits to be introduced, and was overwhelmingly backed by colleagues at County Hall.

Cllr Hayes, said: “What this motion seeks to do is re-balance the discussion that communities have with the county council over lowering speed limits in certain areas, particularly in our smaller historic towns whose town centres are vulnerable and of exceptional historic value.

“Towns are not well designed in Powys to carry the weight and volume of traffic which passes through them.

“It threatens both their fabric and the safety and well-being of residents and visitors alike.”

He added that residents needed to be given the support to feel comfortable about walking to school with children, biking rather than using a car and conducting their business in foot.

Cllr Jackie Charlton, who seconded the motion, said that the speed limit issue was something “high on the priority list” for community councils and residents in her area.

She said that cars may “just be doing 30 mph” as they drive through towns and villages but as they have got larger and the volume of traffic is higher “it feels a lot more as you’re walking along the pavement”.

Councillors voted 59 for the motion with just one against and 0 abstentions.

In July, the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) voted in favour of having 20mph as a default speed limit in residential streets. The decision is supposed to come into force in 2023.

Power over national speed limits was devolved to Wales in 2018.

PICTURE: Guilsfield is one community keen to slow down the speed of traffic passing through the village.