Powys spends £1.25million on implementing 20mph
Several new speed limit signs have been vandalised across the Welshpool area recently, as the October introduction of the slower speeds in built up areas continues to divide opinion.
The overall cost for Wales is expected to be in excess of £32 million, but Guilsfield county councillor Ian Harrison, who is campaigning for a new speed limit at a danger spot close to the village, put in a ‘question to department heads’ regarding the local cost.
His answer from Powys County Council, which has been published on the council web site, explained that £1.6m is available to claim back from Welsh Government, but to date only £1,256,642.82 was “anticipated” to be spent. The cost includes creating and putting in place 1,931 new signs.
And this morning, a Powys County Council spokesperson clarified: “The council has not been given £1.6m from the Welsh Government so won’t be handing anything back. The £1.6m is the maximum amount the council can claim from the Welsh Government for the work that has been undertaken as part of the implementation of the 20mph speed limit scheme and we will be claiming 100% of our costs associated with the scheme.”
The eye-popping amount though has infuriarated Cllr Harrison who said that his bid for slower speeds past Harding’s Garage has been stuck in the council’s in-tray, despite only costing about £4,000 to implement.
“Here we have the perfect example of a job well done by Highways, delivering substantial savings for a 20mph speed reduction project that almost nobody wants,” said Cllr Harrison.
“And yet Highways continue to drag their feet over a paltry £4,000 investment in road safety improvement along the A490 through Groes Llwyd, where the serious risk to life has been recognised both by residents and Highways and all that is needed is a speed limit reduction from 60 to 40mph. You couldn’t make this up!”
For the full list of 20mph questions that have been answered by Powys County Council, visit https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=8277&x=1
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