Two years since it was introduced, the Welsh 20mph limit in urban areas appears to have resulted in fewer injuries and deaths. According to campaign group 20’s Plenty, there have been 882 fewer injuries, a 25% reduction, and 14 fewer deaths, since the limit was introduced in September 2023. That’s comparing the figures from 2022/23, to 2024/25. In North Wales, where 94% of 30 limits reduced to 20mph, casualties fell by 46%.

Not everyone is a fan of course, which led to Welsh local authorities being given greater powers to revert to a 30 limit where this was thought more appropriate. “The data speaks for itself,” said Lee Waters, the Welsh government minister who introduced the new limits in 2023. “We created the policy based on evidence. This isn’t something we plucked out of the air, and the stats two years in are consistent with what the evidence told us to expect.”

Jim Freeman, chair of the BMF said: “I’m tempted to say ,’well they would say that wouldn’t they?’ Following this apparent direction of travel, can we expect a further reduction to 15 mph, the legal limit for electric bicycles? Or how about having a person with a red flag walking in front of all private powered vehicles? That would stop private vehicle usage, which is possibly the long-term objective? We shall ‘Walk, Cycle or use Public Transport’ [Aka WCPT]’ ; whether we like it or no. [Sarcasm alert, Ed]”

Written by Peter Henshaw

Top image authors own.