FLINTSHIRE Council staff are removing 20mph road markings and signs in Buckley prior to next month’s launch of new limit in Wales.

The move has puzzled some who have labelled it a waste of taxpayers' money.

On September 17, most 30mph roads in Wales will reduce to a default 20mph limit. 

Flintshire Council has raised eyebrows by tweeting that it has been removing the 20mph roads markings in Buckley and the surrounding areas - where a 20mph pilot scheme has been running for 18 months.

The authority said: "The removal of these road markings doesn’t mean 20mph speed restrictions have been removed, just that the county is getting ready for the Wales wide introduction of 20mph in September.

"Under Welsh Government’s new 20mph legislation, speed restriction markings on the road must be removed. There will be vertical 20mph signs at each end of the restricted area and streetlights along the length of road between the signs will be the reminder that you are in a 20mph area."

However, the move to remove the road markings has been met with a strong backlash from residents. 

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One person said: "What a total waste of tax payers money, you cannot fix the potholes correctly maybe concentrate on getting that right first."

Another described it as a "ridiculous waste of money".

The Welsh Government has long argued that 20mph speed limits will improve road safety. More recently, it said lower speeds will “encourage a shift to more active forms of travel”.