Signs cause confusion over new speed limit in Buckley

The new speed limits were rolled out across Wales on Sunday - with many 30mph zones having speeds lowered to 20.

But not everything has gone quite to plan in Buckley, with councillors very concerned about the new rules on the A549.

Whilst the main road itself is signposted as now being a 20mph zone, all signage when joining from a sideroad still informs motorists that there is a 30mph limit in place.

Cllr Mike Peers said this is leading to two groups of people using the same road but under two speed limits - depending on where they joined the road.

Left: The 30 sign motorists see as they join the A549 from Drury new road and, right, the 20 sign on the A549 coming into Buckley from Dobshill. Images; Cllr Peers (Image: Cllr Peers)

"You'll have some doing 30 and some doing 20 and that is going to cause issues and road rage.

"I hate to think what the consequences might be - It's a complete shambles.

"We had the pilot in Buckley for 18 months - they could at least have got it right here."

Cllr Carol Ellis said: "I had about seven or eight people contact me about it on Sunday and this morning (Monday) when I was walking the dog it took me 40 minutes to do a five minute walk because everyone's asking me the same question - what is this all about? 

"It's not just a mistake with the signage on one side road, it's been missed on practically every single one.

"It's so confusing and people don't know whether they're coming or going. It's just so wrong.

"I've seen someone on Facebook this morning who was overtaken and had abuse screamed at them because they were doing 20 and the other car was doing 30.

From left: Councillors Dennis Hutchinson, Mike Peers and Carol Ellis (Image: Staff)

"You couldn't make it up - common sense has not prevailed here.

"I think residents in Buckley are angry, confused and disillusioned.

"Like me, they'd expect better treatment of the town - especially because of what we've gone through in the last 18 months."

Cllr Denis Hutchinson said: "My major concern is the confusion it's going to cause to the general public.

"The danger is someone might be prosecuted when they shouldn't be.

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"Who on earth allowed this to happen? It needs to be sorted out as soon as possible."

A Flintshire Council spokesman announced on Monday: "Working throughout the night, Saturday into Sunday, Council employees were busy unpeeling 30mph road sign stickers so that 20mph signs were clearly visible to motorists setting out on Sunday morning.

"Given the scale of work to be completed over the weekend, it is possible some 30mph signs, that should now be 20mph, will have been missed.  

"Before reporting a missed sign to the council we would ask residents to first check the website to see if the road is listed as a ‘30mph By Order."

The authority was approached for comment on the situation in Buckley.