New 20mph zones DON’T make drivers slow down, Transport Secretary Mark Harper says as drivers stage go-slow motorway protest against the new Welsh speed limit
- Mark Harper said it was ‘not sensible to have a blanket policy’ like that in Wales
The new 20mph speed limits deployed across Wales do not make drivers slow down, the Transport Secretary has claimed – as disgruntled drivers stage a go-slow motorway protest against the restrictions along the M4.
Mark Harper said the blanket 20mph speed limits for restricted roads deployed by the Labour-run Welsh government make ‘life harder for motorists’ and are ‘incredibly unpopular’ with the public.
Mr Harper said it was ‘not sensible to have a blanket policy’ like the decision in Wales.
The clampdown has seen Wales become the first country in the UK to reduce speed limits down from 30mph in built-up residential areas with a view to saving lives and cutting costs for the NHS.
But many have protested the rollout, staging several demonstrations already this week, before hitting the road this morning as part of a convoy protest driving at 30mph down the M4 from Magor Services near Newport to Swansea.
A vehicle is seen with a ‘No to 20mph’ sign across its back window and accompanied by police as drivers stage a go slow convoy protest driving at 30mph on the M4 from Magor Services near Newport to Swansea
Mark Harper said the blanket 20mph speed limits for restricted roads deployed by the Labour-run Welsh government make ‘life harder for motorists’
Speaking to Times Radio earlier, Mr Harper said: ‘The research the Department for Transport did, a proper research study, showed that it doesn’t actually make much difference in actually reducing speed(s).
READ MORE: A war on motorists? A solution to the climate crisis? Or a genuine bid to save lives? Tell us what YOU think about the 20mph zones taking over the UK
‘Compliance isn’t good in areas where drivers can’t see the need for it, so we think local authorities should make these decisions where they think there are sensible reasons, for example, around schools -(it is) perfectly sensible to have a lower speed limit there – but we shouldn’t have blanket ones.
‘And that is why we’re looking at strengthening guidance to make it clear that a blanket 20mph speed limit doesn’t make sense.’
He said widespread 20mph zones ‘just makes life harder for motorists, harder for people to get around’.
Mr Harper continued: ‘Most people get to work in a car, take the kids to school in the car, and it doesn’t make a lot of sense.’
It comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was ‘slamming the brakes’ on ‘hare-brained schemes’ like the 20mph speed limit as well as low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs).
Mr Sunak vowed to focus on policies that stem the ‘relentless attack on motorists’.
He told The Sun: ‘I’m slamming the brakes on the war on motorists – it is as simple as that.’
Wales becomes the first country in the UK to reduce speed limits down from 30mph in built-up residential areas with a view to saving lives and cutting costs for the NHS (file image)
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was ‘slamming the brakes’ on ‘hare-brained schemes’ like the 20mph speed limit as well as low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs)
The remarks come as his Conservative administration in Westminster announced a slew of pro-driving measures ahead of the Tory Party conference in Manchester on Sunday.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said guidance would be reviewed on 20mph limits to ‘prevent their blanket use in areas where it is not appropriate’.
The same undertaking would be happening for LTNs in England to ‘focus on local consent’, officials said.
The Whitehall department also announced that a National Parking Platform pilot will be rolled out, meaning that drivers should only have to use an app of their choice to pay for parking instead of downloading multiple apps.
Ahead of the DfT’s announcement on Friday, Mr Sunak said the decision by the Welsh Government to drop the default speed limit was ‘not right’ and the UK Government would take a ‘different approach’.
He confirmed to The Sun that local councils in England face a clampdown on ‘overzealous’ enforcement of parking and yellow box junctions.
Charges will also be applied on utility firms who dig up roads during peak times, with the extra money diverted to fixing potholes, it has been confirmed.
A protest against 20mph speed limits makes its way through the city centre last week – with one protester appearing to superimpose Adolf Hitler’s facial features over an image or Mark Drakeford
Protesters against 20mph speed limits march through Cardiff city centre last week with a banner saying no to the restriction and ‘Don’t comply, don’t pay’
First Minister Mark Drakeford said there is ‘incontrovertible’ evidence that ‘driving more slowly in built-up urban areas saves people’s lives’
As part of the package of measures, DfT officials said guidance will be strengthened to make sure bus lanes only operate ‘when necessary’ and a consultation will be launched on motorcycles using bus lanes.
More details are expected to be set out in Transport Secretary Mark Harper’s speech to Tory members on Monday.
The Prime Minister has pledged to crack down on ‘anti-motorist’ policies and last week delayed the ban on the sale of new conventionally fuelled cars and vans from 2030 to 2035.
The Welsh Government is predicting its change to 20mph speed limits will save up to 100 lives and 20,000 casualties in the first decade.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said there is ‘incontrovertible’ evidence that ‘driving more slowly in built-up urban areas saves people’s lives’.
A Department for Transport-commissioned study published in November 2018 found 20mph limits in residential areas were supported by the majority of residents and drivers.
The report concluded there was no evidence of a significant drop in the number of crashes and casualties after the introduction of 20mph limits.
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