Background
The Welsh Government passed 'The Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022' on February 13, 2022. All Councils in Wales were therefore required to implement this Welsh Government initiative from September 17, 2023, and this was successfully achieved by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council alongside all other Local Authorities in Wales.
The introduction of this legislation had a major impact on the Authority’s highway network, with the majority of our restricted roads being reduced from 30mph to 20 mph (by virtue of the presence of street lighting on such roads).
Revised guidance for exceptions
Following a strong public response and debate, Welsh Government remained committed to the 20mph Default Speed Limit but acknowledged the need for a targeted application of guidance used to determine exceptions where some roads can remain at 30mph.
A revised guidance has since been co-developed, and it now provides guidance for Local Authorities to follow, ensuring a systematic approach going forward.
Welsh Government review and 'listening period'
With the new guidance in place, the Welsh Government asked all Local Authorities to review the 20mph speed limits in their areas, providing extra funding to gather information and begin reviewing any requests received. This has included:
- Information gathering - Geographically mapping out each request to see which routes need to be reviewed first, based on the number of requests received.
- Review and Recommendation - Reviewing each route, considering factors like journey time, the change in vehicle speeds, collision history, and more before making a recommendation to the Council to consider.
During a listening campaign in summer 2024, the Council received 313 requests from residents to review speed limits. All feedback was collated and consolidated into 87 roads to be subject to the review process.
In February and March 2025, officers undertook preliminary assessments and data gathering relevant to the new guidance – on journey times, vehicles speeds, collision data, road environments and traffic flow. A review panel met on March 21, 2025, to discuss each of the locations in detail.
Which stage are we at?
The review panel has concluded that 26 roads will be brought forward for consideration, in respect of a change of speed limit from 20mph to 30mph. These were included in a report to the Climate Change, Frontline Services and Prosperity Scrutiny Committee on July 17, 2025.
The list of 26 roads will undergo a statutory public consultation to receive views and feedback on the proposals. Details will be provided by the Council in due course.
A timeframe to implement the changes would be to publish the relevant Traffic Regulation Order and Public Notice, and attain formal approval, by December 2025. Site works to implement the changes could then begin in March 2026.
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