Public has time to 'get used to' 20mph changes in Wales despite 'speculation' of widespread enforcement
The public will be given more time to "get used to" 20mph speed limits in Wales, despite speculation widespread enforcement had begun.
In September, the law changed in Wales, so that a new default 20mph speed limit applies in residential and built-up areas where there are lots of people - down from the previously typical 30mph limit in these areas.
GoSafe, the Welsh road casualty reduction partnership, said enforcement of the changes could only be conducted at the discretion of the chief constables of each of Wales's four police forces.
Some speculative social media posts had suggested "widespread" enforcement would begin on 17 December.
However, the partnership has now urged the public to only use official sources for information on how the speed limit changes will be enforced.
A statement would be issued by GoSafe and Wales's police forces, ahead of wider enforcement, it said.
The approach to the default 20mph speed limit in built-up areas will continue to be "engagement focused", according to the partnership.
Government had suggested 'grace period' was ending
A petition calling for the policy to be scrapped has become the most-signed on the Senedd (Welsh parliament's) website.
But despite this, the Welsh government's deputy climate change minister, Lee Waters, told a Senedd committee on 26 October that it was now "reaching the stage where enforcement will begin".
"We've given people a grace period and we will now start to enforce," he said.
"But we'll do it in the way that we enforce other speed limits, by exceptions."
Kaarina Ruta, transport assistant and lead for 20mph from the Welsh Local Government Agency, told the same evidence session that GoSafe had "given a three-month bedding-in period" but roadside engagement sessions would be available "for a period of one year".
The Welsh government declined to comment.
Read more:
Why has the default speed limit changed in Wales?
'Mind-boggling' road has eight speed limit changes in two miles
Limit 'putting tourists off visiting Wales', Tories claim
Aim to 'help drivers adjust' - not 'catch people out'
Teresa Ciano, GoSafe's partnership manager, said its priority was "to inform the public".
"Roadside engagement sessions have continued to be run by GoSafe, Welsh Fire and Rescue Services, and other partners, to help drivers adjust to the change," she added.
The engagement sessions will continue throughout 2024, and dedicated teams will deliver them from 8 January, she said.
GoSafe has emphasised its aim is "to ensure compliance" and "not to catch people out".
"Enforcement is carried out where there is evidence of risk and harm to people," Ms Ciano said.
"Each location is assessed prior to enforcement taking place."
Shadow transport minister Natasha Asghar, of the Welsh Conservatives, said Labour had "wasted millions on this costly policy that will hit the Welsh economy up to £9bn".
"The Welsh Conservatives would scrap 20mph speed limits on day one," she added.
The Welsh government has previously said the change to the default limit would "save lives".
