THE speed limit on a Cheshire road, which straddles the Wales/England border, has been lowered to 20mph following funding from the Welsh Government.

As of September 17, the majority of residential roads throughout Wales changed from 30mph to 20mph.

The change has been met by anger and frustration with a petition opposing it collecting over 460,000 signatures to date - making it the most signed petition in Senedd history.

In October, the Leader reported that grants were provided to three English border authorities to cover the cost of traffic regulation orders; to supply, install and remove signs and lines; design costs; staff costs and surfacing works, so that 20mph speed limits are consistent through border settlements.

Now Cheshire West and Chester Council confirmed works have been completed to change the speed limit on roads straddling the Wales/England border.

Councillor Karen Shore, the Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, said: “We lowered the speed limit in residential areas to make the streets safer for all road users. This has been well supported, making our roads safer and reducing fatalities, as speed kills. Slower traffic also means people feel happier to cycle in their area, or to take a walk instead of using the car.

“We have also been working with the Welsh Government, following a successful funding bid, to implement a 20mph zone in Boundary Lane, Saltney where the border cuts across the road, so one section is in England and the other section in Wales.

“Drivers in our borough should find no problems when travelling into North Wales, as they are used to these reduced speeds."

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, has expressed concerns over more roads being made 20mph.

Mr Rowlands, Shadow Minister for Local Government and a harsh critic of the implementation of the policy in Wales said: “Once again, we’ve seen that Labour are committed to making 20mph the default speed limit and waging a war on road users.

“First Labour used their majority in the Welsh Parliament to reduce the default speed limit in Wales.  Then Labour Ministers in the Welsh Government offered hand outs to their Labour Party colleagues running Cheshire West and Chester Council to reduce speed limits there. 

“And now we’re seeing Labour councillors, backed by the Greens and Liberal Democrats, are foisting this bonkers idea on road users in the Wirral.  Once again it will affect people trying to go about their daily lives.

“It is clear that the Labour Party across the UK will exploit any opportunity to push their pet projects, like the default 20mph speed limit.

“It has been an unmitigated disaster in Wales and everywhere you go people are still talking about it and remain extremely angry and frustrated.

“The money spent on this crazy vanity project would have been better spent on safeguarding local services.”

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A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We have supported three English local authorities to ensure communities which straddle the Wales-England board have consistent speed limits.

“The default 20mph speed limit was introduced in Wales to improve safety for all road users and save lives.”

Wirral Council were approached for a comment.