Welsh Government has no plans to revisit 20mph change despite record-breaking petition
The Welsh Government has no plans to revisit the introduction of the 20mph default pace restrict despite a petition in opposition to it turning into the most-signed in Senedd historical past. The legislation, which has lowered the variety of 30mph roads in Wales to simply 3% of the community, got here into drive on Sunday.
At the time of publication of this story a petition opposing the change had reached greater than 130,000 signatures. The petition reads: “We need the Welsh Government to rescind and take away the disastrous 20mph legislation. The new 20mph legislation is coming into drive on the 17th September and it’ll mark the top of getting socialism in energy in Wales.
“Welsh Government declare to have supporting proof stating that lowering to 20mph EVERYWHERE saves lives! Yet we get flyers merely claiming that it’ll, and opinions from docs that see RTCs coming into A&E. This is NOT proof. The solely true proof is from Belfast and it states it makes NO DIFFERENCE to RTCs!
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“At least one of many trial villages in Monmouthshire truly reverted their trial as a result of it was inflicting absolute carnage on the roads! Mark Drakeford has come out claiming it’s a success in St Brides Major however each time I am going although there NO ONE is driving at 20mph.
“The Welsh Government has FAILED to produce ANY convincing evidence to support these claims of safety. This law is being spearheaded by the WG Climate Change department and NOT Health & Safety!! YOU HAVE NOT LISTENED TO US. The Welsh Government was put there BY THE PEOPLE OF WALES, We are your boss! We demand that this foolish idea be stopped.”
The petition is open till March subsequent 12 months however has already exceeded the variety of signatures wanted for the petitions committee to contemplate asking for a debate within the Senedd chamber. The petition has primarily been signed by individuals in Wales with, on the time of writing, the best variety of signatories being within the north Wales regional constituency.
Speaking on BBC Radio Wales’ breakfast present on Tuesday counsel feneral Mick Antoniw stated the federal government has “no plans to change it”. He added: “That is a matter for the Senedd petitions committee – it is the Senedd that chooses what that debate will be. If that takes place obviously government will participate and respond to it.”
But requested if the the federal government may change the legislation given the obvious opposition he stated: “We’ve just introduced changes – we need to allow them to bed in and I’m confident they will be workable and people will accept them”. Asked if the Welsh Government had received the coverage mistaken, significantly in relation to public opinion polls exhibiting excessive numbers in opposition to it, Mr Antoniw stated: “I think a lot of people are concerned. I think there’s a degree of confusion. It will take time for what is a significant culture change to bed in. But I’m confident it bed in. The experience from other countries like Spain is that will happen. The situation will be monitored and it will be reviewed.”
On Monday deputy transport minister Lee Waters stated inner Welsh Government polling confirmed round 50% opposition to it. An ITV Wales/YouGov ballot had it at 61%.
