LEADER readers have been gathering their thoughts as the petition against the 20mph speed limit change for Wales draws nearer to 50,000 signatures.

On Tuesday, July 12, Senedd members voted 39 to 15 to approve the Welsh Government's bid to roll out the law on all residential roads.

That means Wales is set to become the first country in the UK to introduce a default 20mph limit as of September 2023.

But, the plans have faced great opposition, particularly after it was first piloted in the Buckley area earlier this year.

A petition in opposition to the plans, launched in March of this year when that pilot began, is now nearing 50,000 signatures.

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Flintshire was one of eight areas across Wales selected for a government trial which reduced speed limits from 30mph to 20mph on residential roads.

As a result, all unclassified roads (30mph) within Buckley, Mynydd Isa, Bryn-y-Baal and New Brighton became 20mph zones.

That sparked backlash from residents who claimed it was doing 'more harm than good' and the petition was born.

Set up by Adie Drury, it now has 44,417 signatures (correct at time of writing on Wednesday, August 17).

Readers have once again been sending in their views on this. Here is what they had to say ... 

Cerys Townley said: "It's ridiculous, but Cardiff won't care about our opinion."

Delwyn Bates said: "I was behind a driver on Alltami Road this morning who was sticking to the 20mph limit when another car came up behind me and pulled right out to overtake us both on a road barely wide enough for two cars to pass. With idiots like that on the road, the 20mph limit is going to cause more accidents."

Hazel Jump said: "I do get annoyed that I have to drive so slow on a road that has so few houses on. And it used to be a 40mph limits so it has essentially been halved."

Jack Richards wrote: "It's a disaster. There is no way they'll be able to police it."

Andrea Hymas disagreed saying: "I welcome the 20mph limit, as do many of my friends."

In response, a spokesperson for the Welsh Government said: "A Wales 20mph public attitudes survey showed 81% of people interviewed supported a reduction in the speed limit to 20mph.

“The new legislation will not apply a blanket speed limit on all roads, it will simply make the default limit 20mph. Ultimately, it will be down to Local Authorities to decide which roads should retain the 30mph limit in consultation with their residents. Together, we are drawing lessons from pilot settlements to look again at the criteria used to keep some roads at 30mph.” 

To view the petition, click here.