More than 50 roads in Wrexham will increase its speed limit from 20 mph to 30 mph.
The Welsh government’s review of the default lower speed limit was announced after a strong public rebound.
The Wrexham Commission’s executive committee considered the results of a consultation that “overwhelming majority” supported the end of the 20 mph policy, with 93% of respondents favoring the return of road speeds to 30mph.
Staff of local managers will begin planning the next step, including a campaign to ensure all residents are aware of the changes and to start safely dividing new restrictions.
The default speed limit is to switch on most urban roads on September 17, 2023, and is exempted, with most 30 mph roads becoming 20 mph.
While Mark Drakeford served as the first minister, the plan proved to be one of the most controversial moves of the Welsh government since its decentralization, with nearly a million people signing a a petition requesting it to be cancelled.
The public rebound prompted a review of the policy, and the city council is currently considering whether more roads can be turned back to 30 mph.
After the Wrexham consultation last week, the campaign group “20-year-old to us” wrote: “Is this really a difficult decision? Saving the child from death and injury or comforting some motorists.
“We have to consider life and death.”
This is because GoSafe Partnership figures show that in the first month of 2025, 8881 motorists were arrested to exceed the 20mph law enforcement threshold, with a North Wales motorist at 89 mph in the 20mph range Driving at speed.
The highest offensive speed recorded in South Wales and Central Wales last month was 73mph.
The Wrexham Council applied for additional Welsh government funding for modification and received £368,000.
The report acknowledged before the MP that there is a risk of injury and death due to the increase in speed limits.
However, 52 selected pathways were evaluated according to guidance from the Welsh Government.
Councillors were told that “safety is crucial.”
The guide says a 30 mph speed limit can be set if the road is located outside the center of a city, town or countryside” and “away from places that attract frequent pedestrians and/or cyclists.”
It also specifies that restrictions can be raised on roads with lower housing density, where pedestrians and cyclists are or can be isolated from car traffic if there are pedestrians and cyclists.
Other local authorities are still collecting public feedback or deciding which routes should be reviewed.
