A WELSH MS says she has been 'inundated' with letters, calls and emails from 'furious people across Wales' about the incoming 20mph scheme.

From September 17, most 30mph speed limits in Wales are changing to 20mph.

This will make Wales one of the world’s first countries to have a default 20mph limit. 

This is, according to the Welsh Government, to 'keep our communities safer and improve quality of life'.

In the lead up to the introduction of Welsh Government’s new legislation for 20mph speed limits, eight communities across Wales were selected for the first phase of the national programme. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

As part of this Phase One Settlement Scheme, 20mph speed restrictions were introduced in Buckley, Mynydd Isa, New Brighton, Drury, Burntwood, Bryn y Baal and Alltami on February 28, 2022.

And, although generally in favour of 20mph on residential estates and around schools, hundreds of residents expressed concerns about its introduction on main roads and streets.

A petition set up in September 2022 has so far gained more than 21,000 signatures.

That petition, created by Benjamin Watkins, was discussed briefly by the Senedd's Petition Committee today (Monday, June 5).

Committee chair Jack Sargeant MS said that 'given the scale of the signatures and interest in the topic of the petition', the clerking team has been asked to contact Mr Watkins to bring forward the closing date of the petition. 

They will then request another debate ahead of the changes in September. 

It comes as a Welsh MS has revealed that she has been 'inundated' by 'furious people' from across the country regarding the scheme.

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Natasha Asghar is the Welsh Conservatives' shadow minister for transport.

She said: "I have been – and continue to be – inundated with letters, calls and emails from furious local people across Wales and this petition only further highlights the strength of feeling out there about plans to grind Wales to a halt – and that’s why I’ve signed it myself.

“Public opinion has not been greatly in favour of this change, with countless people across Wales feeling they were not able to have a proper say in this decision and reports have cast doubt over how many lives it would actually save.”

Aware of concerns about the scheme, Flintshire Council says it has 'held discussions' with the Welsh Government over the last 12 months.

The council has been gathering the views of local residents to 'help inform a review and understand concerns about specific roads'. 

As a result of this feedback, the council says it has 're-assessed' a number of roads in Buckley and its surrounding areas. 

These are; A5119 New Brighton, A549 Brunswick Road Chester Road, A549 Mold Road, B5127 Liverpool Road, B5128 Church Road, Bannel Lane, Bryn Lane – Bryn Y Baal Road, Drury New Road, Padeswood Road South and Drury Lane.

A statement on the Welsh Government's 'Safer at 20mph' page claims that 'The evidence from around the world is very clear – reducing speed limits reduces collisions and saves lives'.

It adds that a recent public health study estimated that the 20mph default speed limit could result in 40% fewer collisions and save 6 to 10 lives every year.

Ultimately, local councils will reportedly have the final say on which streets should remain at 30mph.