11. The Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:10 pm on 12 July 2022.

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Photo of Jack Sargeant Jack Sargeant Labour 5:10, 12 July 2022

As the Minister will be aware, I represent the community of Buckley that's taken part in the pilot scheme for these proposed changes, and what's important to me, Minister, is that we do learn the lessons from this trial. It's critical that we learn lessons from Buckley and the other areas across Wales. But it has to be about a mature relationship between local authorities, who understand their local communities and the communities they serve—in this particular case, Flintshire County Council—and the Welsh Government. 

I must say, the correspondence I have received reaches far further than just Buckley itself, it reaches right across the community of Alyn and Deeside, which I represent. Now, my residents have genuine concerns about many arterial roads. Many do support 20 mph on most roads, including housing estates, near schools et cetera, but they do want exemptions for those main and arterial roads, and I understand and share these concerns. I have to be frank about that. So, Minister, if we are going to make 20 mph a default position—not a blanket position, but a default position—we do need to find a way that local authorities are empowered to identify these particular roads. An example of a particular road is Liverpool Road in Buckley in my own constituency. They have those powers, they apply those exemptions, where they deem necessary. So, can you confirm clearly and on the record today here in the Chamber that local authorities will have the power to do this with, and in communication with, the local communities who have that local knowledge? Diolch yn fawr.