THOUSANDS of UK drivers will face a huge speed limit change under new road rules – is your route affected?
The Welsh Government announced plans to lower the default speed limit from 30mph to 20mph, in 2023.
Welsh councils can revert to a 30mph speed limit[/caption]
The decision sparked major public backlash, with hundreds of thousands of locals signing petitions calling for the rule to be scrapped.
It appears residents were heard, as the Government later confirmed that councils could opt out by restoring some roads to the original 30mph limit the following year.
This prompted fresh discussions, as local authorities began working with drivers to decide which roads should return to the higher speed limit.
Some areas have since reverted to the 30mph limit, while others are still in the process of making the change.
At the time, plans to slash the threshold for drivers being fined on 20mph roads have been branded “utter madness” as the Welsh Labour Government continues to develop the controversial policy.
Motorists across Wales were still getting used to the 20mph speed limits on restricted roads as the Government worked with local authorities to make necessary changes.
Following the heavily criticised rollout, Labour announced it would look to amend the policy so it was more focused on roads that actually need it – instead of it being a blanket measure.
To that end, the standard threshold for drivers to be slapped with a speeding fine is 10 per cent plus two miles per hour.
This was changed to four miles per hour for the new 20mph roads, as requested by GoSafe, who called on chief police officers to be more lenient on drivers as they adjust to the nationwide proposal.
This means that if a driver is caught speeding at 24mph in the 20mph zone, they will not be fined.
However, a penalty charge notice could be issued if they’re caught at 26mph.
But reports now suggest changes could be introduced to amend this threshold and could see drivers fined if they’re travelling at 24mph.
According to Wales Online, chief police officers were set to review the policy in March.
The former leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies MS, Senedd Member for South Wales Central, said: “Dropping this threshold would be utter madness.
“The 20mph policy is crackers enough without implementing a low threshold which is hard to match at low speeds.
“Labour’s failed 20mph experiment should be dropped.”
In 2024, 48,203 offences were recorded in Mid and South Wales, while 36,710 were given out in North Wales.
In total, 84,913 offences were recorded across the country.
Average offence speeds peaked in April for Mid and South Wales at 30.4mph, while North Wales saw the average offence speed peak at 32.7mph in May.
Throughout 2024, the GoSafe road safety partnership revealed that 13,443 engagement sessions had taken place in which the Welsh Fire and Rescue Services delivered a 10-minute presentation about the speed limit changes.
A spokesperson for GoSafe said: “While the public get used to the change in default limit, chief police officers have allowed us to increase this to 10 per cent plus 4mph in 20mph only, meaning we start to prosecute at 26mph in a 20mph limit.
“This allows us to concentrate on offences more significantly over the speed limit.
“The increased enforcement threshold is scheduled to be reviewed by Chief Officers in March 2025, however, they will continue to monitor it and may review it before this date. Any change will be communicated in advance through official sources.”
The roads that are in contention for changes
Anglesey
These roads have been proposed to change to 30mph.
- Amlwch A5025
- Amlwch, Lon Parys to Ffordd Madyn
- Benllech, A5025
- Bodffordd, A5 approach
- Bryn Du, unnamed Class 3 road
- Bull Bay, A5025
- Caergeiliog, A5 Bryngwran approach
- Gaerwen, Lon Groes – industrial estate road
- Holyhead A5153, Parc Cybi
- Holyhead A5154, Victoria Road
- Llanddaniel, A5 approach
- Llanddaniel, Llanedwen approach
- Llanddaniel, level crossing approach
- Llandegfan, Ffordd yr Eglwys
- Llanfachraeth, A5025
- Llanfaes, unmamed Class 3 road from the B5109
- Llanfair PG A5025 near park and ride facility
- Llanfihangel yn Nhowyn, RAF Valley, Minffordd Road
- Llangefni, Industrial Estate Road
- Newborough, A4080 Malltraeth approach
- Pentraeth, B5109 Beaumaris approach
- Rhosmeirch, B5111 Coedana approach
- Rhosneigr, A4080 Llyn Maelog approach
- Talwrn, Old school road (Due to Closed School)
- Trearddur Bay, B4545 Lon St Ffraid East
Blaenau Gwent
A section of the A467, Aberbeeg Road, will revert to its former speed limit of 40mph.
All other roads currently set at 20mph should remain.
Caerphilly
It has been reported that dozens of roads in the county are being considered to be reverted back to 30mph from 20mph but no further details are available.
Cardiff
Four roads in Cardiff will be reverted back to 30mph
- Newport Road: All of Newport Road except for a section which runs outside St Illtyd’s Catholic School. The road has four lanes for the majority and a bus corridor between Cardiff and Newport, allowing it to revert to 30mph.
- Western Avenue:A section of Western Avenue west of the Taff River Bridge up to the junction with Cardiff and Llandaff Road. The council decided there are enough pedestrian crossings and significant separation between carriageways and footways to allow a return to 30mph.
- Ocean Way:From Beignon Close to Rover Way. As the area is mainly non-residential and carries a lot of traffic to the Link Road the speed limit will change.
- Hadfield Road:The section between the junction with Leckwith Road and Penarth Road. The road will change as it is also mainly industrial and feeds onto both Leckwith and Penarth Road, both of which have 30mph limits.
Carmarthenshire
The following A and B Class roads are proposed to return to 30mph, subject to consultation and the Traffic Regulation Order process:
- A484 Cwmdwyfran (in full)
- A484 Pentre-Morgan (in full)
- A484 Pentrecagal (in full)
- B4297 Heol Y Bwlch, Bynea (in part – for a length of 600m from its junction with Yspitty Road to its junction with Y Gerddi)
- B4333 Hermon (in part – on southern approach to the village only)
- B4312 Llangain (in part – on both approaches to the village)
- B4312 Moument Hill, Carmarthen (in full)
- B4308 Carmarthen Road, Kidwelly (in part – on the southern approach to the town for a distance of approximately 246m)
- B4556 New Link Road, Penygroes (in full)
- B4306 Heol Y Parc, Hendy (in part – from Llannon direction up to its junction with Clos Glyn Dwr)
- B4337 Llanybydder (in part) – for a distance of 150m on the eastern approach into Llanybydder from Ty Mawr
Ceredigion
There will be no proposed changes to any existing speed limits.
Conwy
Conwy Council has drawn up a list of priority roads that will be assessed. A final decision has yet to be made on the following roads.
B5115:
- B5115 from Brompton Avenue, Bae Colwyn (Colwyn Bay) through Llandudno Road, Bae Penrhyn (Penrhyn Bay)
- B5115 Colwyn Road, Llandudno to Conway Road, Llanrhos
Bryn Lupus Road, Llanrhos
Rhos Promenade and Marine Drive, Llandrillo-yn-Rhos (Rhos on Sea)
Glan y Mor Road, Bae Penrhyn (Penrhyn Bay)
B5106:
- B5106 from Gyffin through Tal y Bont
- B5106 Dolgarrog to Trefriw
A547:
- A547 Llanddulas Road, Abergele
- A547 Abergele Road, from Wynnstay Road to the 40mph east of Highlands Road, Hen Golwyn (Old Colwyn)
- A547 Conwy bridge
A548: Foryd Road and Towyn Road, Tywyn (Towyn) and Bae Cinmel (Kinmel Bay)
B5383: Rotary Way, Hen Golwyn (Old Colwyn)
St Asaph Avenue, Bae Cinmel (Kinmel Bay)
B5113: Kings Drive to Llanrwst Road, Bryn y Maen
B5279 Tyn y Groes Road
Meirion Drive, Conwy
B4406 Penmachno to A5
Conway Old Road to Bwlch Sychnant (Sychnant Pass)
Maesdu Avenue, Deganwy
Denbighshire
The council has announced it has no plans to increase the speed limit on any of its 20mph roads
Flintshire
The council has said that it will begin the process of reverting some roads back to 30mph in July. It said more than 1,000 requests had been received and all had been assessed.
These are the roads which have been nominated to have their speed limit changed. Final decisions on them are yet to be confirmed:
- A5026 from Lloc to A5151
- A5026 Holway Road/Fron Park Road/Halkyn Road, Holywell
- A5104 Chester Road to High Street, Saltney
- A5104 Main Road, Broughton
- A5104 Mold Road, Broughton
- A5104 Pontybodkin to Coed Talon
- A5119 Flint, Northop Road
- A5119 King Street
- A5119 King Street to Leadmills
- A5119 New Brighton
- A5119 Northop Road, Northop
- A5119 Ruthin Road, Mold
- A541 Caergwrle
- A541 Cefn y Bedd
- A541 Denbigh Road, Mold
- A541 Hendre
- A541 Pontblyddyn
- B5441 Welsh Road, Deeside
- A548 Bagillt Road
- A548 Mostyn Road
- A548 Oakenholt to Flint
- A548 Weighbridge Road, Deeside
- A549 Dobshill to Penrhwylfa Roundabout
- A550 Gladstone Way, Hawarden
- A550 Hawarden Road, Caegwrle
- A5119 Aber Road, Flint
- Alltami Road, Buckley
- Aston Hall Lane
- Aston Road
- B5121 Brynford Road
- B5121 Greenfield to Holywell
- B5125 Glynne Way
- B5125 Hawarden
- B5129 Kelsterton Road
- B5129 Sandycroft
- B5129 Shotton
- B5444 Wrexham Road, Mold
- Bagillt High Street
- Bannel Lane, Buckley
- Brunswick Road
- Bryn Lane, New Brighton
- Bryn Road, Mynydd Isa
- Bryn-y-Baal Road to Bryn Road, Mynydd Isa
- Burntwood Road to Wood Lane
- Carmel Road
- Chambers Lane
- B5128 Church Road, Buckley
- B5129 Connah’s Quay High Street
- Deeside Industrial Park
- Drury Lane
- Drury New Road
- Dock Road, Greenfield
- Evans Way, Shotton
- Ewloe Interchange
- Factory Road, Sandycroft
- Fagl lane
- Ffordd Llanarth
- Ffordd Nercwys
- Ffordd Pentre Bach
- Gas Lane, Mold
- Globe Way, Buckley
- Green Lane East
- Greenfield Street to Greenfield Road
- Gwernaffield Road
- Hall Lane
- Kelsterton Lane, Connah’s Quay
- Jubilee Road
- Level Road
- B5127 Liverpool Road, Buckley
- Llinegar Hill, Penyffordd
- Lower Aston Hall lane
- Maes Gwern, Mold
- B5126 Mold Road, Connah’s Quay
- Manor Lane Industrial Estate
- Martins Hill
- Megs Lane
- Monastery Road
- Moor lane
- Mount Pleasant Road
- Nant Mawr Road, Buckley
- New Road, Drury
- Oakfield Road
- Padeswood Road South, Buckley
- Pen-Y-Maes Road
- Pinfold Lane, Buckley
- Plough Interchange
- Precinct Way, Buckley
- Queensferry roundabout
- Queen’s Lane, Mold
- Raikes Lane
- Rhes-y-Cae
- River Lane, Saltney
- Sandy Lane, Saltney
- Spence Industrial Estate
- St Davids Park
- Shotton, Woodland Street
- The Willow
- Tinkersdale, Hawarden
- Vounog Hill to Wrexham Road, Penyffordd
- Wepre Lane to Wepre Drive, Connah’s Quay
- Whitefarm Road, Buckley
- Wood Lane to St David’s Park, Ewloe
- Woodlands Road, Mold
Merthyr
The council received comments on the following 20 roads, however a review will take place to decide whether they will be reverted back to 30mph.
- Pant Industrial Estate
- Pant Road to Pontsticill
- A4054 – Cardiff Road Treharris/Quakers Yard
- Aberfan to Troedyrhiw
- A4054 – Plymouth Street
- A4054 – Old Hoovers factory to petrol station
- A4054 – Caedraw roundabout to road bridge
- College Boulevard – Merthyr College/gyratory to Vauxhall garage
- A4054 – Caedraw roundabout to Vauxhall Garage roundabout
- Bethesda Street
- Brecon road – St Marys Church to Cyfarthfa Arms
- Cyfarthfa road – Pandy Clock to Mormon Church
- Top of Galon Uchaf roundabout to 10th Avenue
- Penydarren roundabout to Pontmorlais
- Top section of Swansea Road
- Aberdare Road
- Winchfawr
- A4054 – Upper Cefn High Street
- A4054 – Full length of Cefn High Street
- Whole of A4054 to revert back except outside schools
Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire Council has decided it is not reverting any roads from the current 20mph speed limit.
Neath Port Talbot Council
The council has said it has received 93 comments about streets or roads following a consultation after the revised Welsh Government guidance.
It said it was reviewing all the comments and assessing them against the guidance.
Newport
In March, 2025, the council stated its intention to change the speed limit for the following 16 streets in Newport. A public consultation has taken place and a final decision will be made after the feedback from the consultation is assessed.
- Caerphilly Road (part – extend existing 30mph from the property ‘Brambles’ up to Garth Terrace)
- Bassaleg Road (part – Pye Corner up to 130 Bassaleg Road)
- Bettws Lane (part – from Malpas Road to Newport High School)
- Duffryn Drive
- Duffryn Way
- Frederick Street
- George Street
- Lighthouse Road (part – between Morgan Way to a point prior to controlled crossing near Duffryn Way)
- Morgan Way
- Royal Oak Hill (part – extend existing 30mph to junction with Chepstow Road)
- Tredegar House Drive
- Tregwilym Road (part – Western Valley Road to Chartist Drive)
- Usk Road (part – extend existing 30mph to junction with The Hawthorns)
- Wern Industrial Estate
- West Nash Road (part – from junction with Nash Road to point near St Mary’s Close)
- Wharf Road
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire Council has asked for the public’s views on any changes that should be made in its area.
Powys
It has been reported that the council has been consulting on possible changes and that the results of this will be presented in due course to cabinet.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council
The council has been looking into 313 requests to change roads back from their current 20mph limit. But no decisions have so far been taken on any changes.
Swansea
There are 17 roads in Swansea that could potentially see their limits increased from 20mph to 30mph.
- A48 – From Penllergaer to Pontlliw -From a point 60 metres south of Parc Penderi in Penllergaer to a point 60 metres south of Oaklands Road in Pontlliw.
- B4295 – The Promenade, Penclawdd -From the current 30mph limit at a point 45 metres southwest of its junction with Graig-y-Coed west to its junction with Hall Lane.
- B4296 – Pentre Road (Pontardulais) -From the current 30mph limit at a point 360 metres south of its junction with Park Terrace to a point 130 metres south of this junction.
- B4296 – Pentre Road (Grovesend) -From the existing 30mph limit at a point 50 metres north of its junction with Clos Brynlliw, Grovesend south to a point 10 metres north of Clos Pengelli.
- B4296 Coalbrook Road (Grovesend) -From the existing 30mph limit 420 metres north of its junction with Frampton Road northwards for a distance of 100 metres.
- B4436 Mayals Road -From its junction with Mumbles Road west to the 40mph limit at a point 100 metres west of its junction with Curlew Close.
- B4620 Swansea Road/ Carmarthen Road (Llewitha) -From the existing 40mph limit on Swansea Road 570 metres east of its junction with Hospital Road east to a point on Carmarthen Road 250 metres west of its junction with Ystrad Road.
- B4603 Clydach Road -From a point 30 metres north of its junction with Field Close north to a point 50 metres south of its junction with Lanllienwen Road. From its junction with the northern kerbline of the junction 45 roundabout of the M4 north to a point 30 metres south of its junction with Christopher Road. From a point 20 metres southwest of its junction with Quarr Drive southwest for a distance of 690 metres.
- Carmel Road – From a point 40 metres east of Colwyn Avenue to a point 50 metres west of Crymlyn Road.
- Brynmill Lane – From its junction with Sketty Road southeast to its junction with Park Place.
- Gors Avenue -From a point 10 metres west of its junction with Townhill Road to its junction with Carmarthen Road.
- Townhill Road -From its junction with Gors Avenue to a point 10 metres west of its junction with Mayhill Road.
- Heol Ddu -From a point 20 metres west of its junction with Llangyfelach Road west to the existing 40mph limit 20 metres southwest of its junction with Roger Street.
- Heol y Cwmdu -From its junction with Carmarthen Road to a point 10 metres west of the access road to Parc Cwmdu.
- Mynydd Newydd Road -From the existing 40mph limit 50 metres south of its junction with Penplas Road to a point 20 metres north of its junction with Broughton Avenue.
- Pant Lasau Road – From the existing 40mph speed limit 113 metres southwest of the southern boundarybof the property known as Brynsirol northeast to a point 60 metres southwest of its junction with Heol Maes Eglwys.
- Pentregethin Road -From its junction with Pontarddulais Road east then southeast to a point 10 metres southeast of Woodford Road.
Torfaen
Consultations have taken place regarding the following roads to be revised, this is set to be completed by the end of spring, 2025.
- Newport Road, Cwmbran (part)
- Estate Road, Blaenavon (including Gilchrist Thomas Industrial Estate)
- The A4043 north from Pontypool towards Abersychan (part)
- New Road, between Griffithstown and New Inn (part)
- Usk Road, New Inn (part)
- Riverside, Pontypool
- Turnpike Road, Llanyravon (part)
- B4236 Caerleon Road (part) – 40mph section
Vale of Glamorgan
The speed limit on 83 roads could change in the Vale of Glamorgan but a list of which roads are being considered has not been shared.
Wrexham
These are the roads set for reversion to 30mph:
- B5445 Marford Hill, Marford
- B5445 Chester Road, Gresford
- A5152 Chester Road, Acton (A483 – Garden Village)
- A5152 Chester Road, Acton (Garden Village – City)
- Ty Gwyn Lane, Acton
- B5100 Rhosnesni Lane, Acton
- Jeffreys Road, Borras
- A534 Holt Road, Wrexham (Hullah Lane to Greyhound)
- A534 Holt Road, Borras (Greyhound to Link Road)
- A525 Ruthin Road, Wrexham
- A541 Mold Road, Gwersyllt
- A525 Kingsmills Road, Hightown
- Kingsmills Loop (Old A525)
- Abenbury Road, Abenbury
- Cefn Road, Abenbury
- A525 Marchwiel Road/Bangor Road, Marchwiel
- A528 Overton Road, Marchwiel
- A525 Bangor Road, Cross Lanes
- B5130 Holt Road/Kiln Lane, Cross Lanes
- B5425 New Road/ Main Road/ Llay New Road, Rhosrobin
- Plas Acton Road, Pandy
- B5425 Llay New Road, Llay
- B5102 Straight Mile/ Croeshowell Hill, Llay
- Gegin Lane, Llay
- Higher Lane, Llay
- Chapel Lane, Llay
- Phoenix Drive, Brymbo
- New High Street, Brymbo
- Railway Road, Brymbo
- B5101, The Lodge
- B5426 Wern Road, Minera
- B5426 Minera Hall Road, Minera
- B5426, The Wern
- B5605 Park Road/Newbridge Road, Rhosymedre
- A539 Llangollen Road, Trevor
- A539 Llangollen Road, Acrefair
- B5070, Chirk
- B5070, Chirk (buffer)
- B5605 Wrexham Road, Johnstown
- B5605 Ruabon Road, Johnstown
- Vauxhall Industrial Estate, Johnstown
- B5605 Ruabon Road, Ruabon
- B5605 New High Street, Ruabon
- B5605 Bridge Street, Ruabon
- A539/B5605 Ruabon Roundabout
- B5097 Plas Bennion to Tatham Road
- Plas Bennion Road/ Copperas Hill
- Plas Bennion Road (buffer)
Credit: Walesonline
