A NORTH Wales MS is urging fellow politicians to back a crucial debate in the Senedd against the controversial 20mph limit.

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

The change was been met with anger and frustration with a petition opposing it collecting 469,571 signatures, making it the most signed petition in Senedd history.

Any petition that gathers over 10,000 signatures must be considered by the Petitions Committee for a debate.

The Senedd Business Committee will hold a formal debate on the matter today (May 22).

Now Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales is calling for politicians to back the debate and scrap the limit. 

Mr Rowlands, a long time campaigner against the controversial new law said: “It’s disappointing that once again the default 20mph speed limit is having to be raised in the Senedd, all because Welsh Government Ministers refuse to listen to feedback from the public they’re supposed to represent.

“Everybody knows my feelings on this issue and it really is quite scandalous that almost half a million people have signed a petition against this implementation yet it still went ahead.

“Only last week I called for the Welsh Government to stop fiddling about the edges and scrap the default 20mph speed limit.  It is clear from their comments that their so-called “review” will not result in any significant changes.

“We all agree with 20mph speed limits outside schools, hospitals and other roads where there is clear evidence that lower speed limits are backed by the local community but not as a default on arterial roads. This barmy legislation continues to cause chaos, frustration and confusion across North Wales.

“I have continually called for this ridiculous and bonkers idea to be ditched and it is high time that my fellow MSs, whichever party they belong to, begin representing their constituents and back efforts to get the new speed limit repealed.”

Previously speaking on the 20mph debate, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: "The Cabinet Secretary has set out his three phase plan for 20mph: a national listening programme, working in partnership with local government, and the supporting them to make changes.

"Building from the consensus that lower speeds are right around schools, hospitals, and in built-up residential areas the Cabinet Secretary has been busy engaging with the widest possible range of voices on 20mph.

"As part of that ongoing dialogue, the Cabinet Secretary recently met with the transport leads for both Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservatives."