First Minister calls on councils to revert roads to 30mph

New First Minister Eluned Morgan was continuing her 'listening tour of Wales' in Wrexham and Mold on Monday as she took to the streets to speak to members of the public. 

Ms Morgan arrived at Ty Pawb to speak to vendors and residents, alongside MS Lesley Griffiths, on what they felt were the key issues that need addressing in Welsh Government. 

One of the key issues raised by members of the public was the 20mph speed limit, with Ms Morgan saying there was "lots of concerns" about it.

Eluned Morgan (Image: Welsh Government)

Almost 12 months ago, the majority of residential roads throughout the country changed from 30mph to 20mph.

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

A poll from YouGov found that seven in ten residents in Wales were against the 20mph limit, with 50% 'strongly' against it. 

New guidance was introduced by Transport Secretary Ken Skates in July, allowing local councils the power to revert certain roads back to 30mph. 

Last week, Flintshire Council said that consultations on roads reverting back would likely start this month, while Wrexham Council said there were "no timescales" on any potential changes. 

In Wrexham on Monday, Ms Morgan admitted that there needed to be a change in the limit and said that there are opportunities for local authorities to start introducing more exemptions. 

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The First Minister said: "I think there will have to be a shift. I think the public have made it clear they're not content with where it is now. 

"What we've done is to encourage the public to get in touch with their local authorities and for the public to help us, and the councils within the new guidance to determine where those 20mphs should be. 

"I think generally people want to see them around schools, but on main roads they find it much more difficult to justify. 

"Some councils have used their discretion to have loads and loads of exemptions and others haven't. I think there's an opportunity on some councils to increase the number of exemptions they've got."