TAXI DRIVERS, carers and more have shared their concerns as the 20mph speed limit looms for Flintshire, Wrexham and the rest of Wales.

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.

This week, residents across the country will be receiving leaflets detailing what the 20mph speed limit plans mean for Wales.

And, the Welsh Government has issued advice on how the speed limits will be 'policed' once they come into force.

A spokesperson said: "We recognise the important role that engagement and enforcement has to play in making the rollout of the 20mph legislation a success in Wales.

"We are working with the Local Authorities, GoSafe, the Police and the Fire and Rescue Services to support the required behavioural change, so as to help drivers understand and adhere to the new 20mph default speed limit on restricted roads in Wales from September 17 2023.

“This will include roadside engagement for those caught marginally over the new speed limit.

“Motorists who have total disregard for the speed limit and people’s safety could be fined and / or summonsed for excessive speeding, as is currently the case.”

Readers have been getting in touch to tell the Leader why they are both for and against the incoming changes to the speed limit in Wales.

Jessica Jones is a community care worker in the Flintshire area, mainly covering Holywell and Flint.

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She is worried about the impact the changes will have on her and her colleagues' work schedules and the care they are able to provide to their patients.

Jessica said: "The 20mph will have a huge effect on us and our service users. It means traffic will be heavier at peak times and this will result in us not making our visits on time and our service users can sometimes become worried if we are late.

"Also, for us, being on the road daily we are hoping it doesn’t affect wear and tear on our vehicles for us to do our jobs because without our vehicle we cannot go to work. This then puts further pressure on our management and colleagues.

"It’s a great idea especially in built up areas but I think there is definitely pros and cons to it."

Business owner Neil Diack, who runs The Academy in Buckley, says he is concerned about the 'negative impact' the scheme is already having on the town. 

He said: "As a local business in Buckley, having spoken to many customers at events and classes in the town, we know it will negatively impact the number of people who use local businesses. 

"Many have said they will now shop out of town as the journey into town will now take longer at 20mph than the drive to Broughton, or even Chester."

The Leader: 20mph speed limit

PIC: The 20mph speed limit change will come into action on many roads in Wales on September 17.

Tyler Dalton works as a taxi driver in the Flintshire area. 

Raising his concerns about the change to 20mph, he told the Leader: "Most of my fares are local fares, that means each job is going to take 50% longer to do and my earnings are going to drop by those margins."

Meanwhile, Faye Ahmad told us: "As a mum of two young children, I like the sound of the data of it being safer and everything for sure. However, I don’t believe that it’s only going to take me one more minute than it normally would on most journeys. I do think my nursery run and commute in the mornings will take longer."

Stephen Bather raised his concerns over the effects the changes could have on delivery drivers.

He said: "I used to work in the transport industry - it was hard work then getting around. But, I've chatted to a few couriers since and their employers still give them the same targets etc so there's no way they will be able to reach them at 20mph.

"Is this another way to stick a spanner in the works for British drivers? I agree with it around the schools. Seems the power happy Senedd couldn't care less about anyone's views or how it impacts life in any way!"

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Others were more in favour of the scheme, like Glynne Hughes who said: "We had the same concerns in the 80's when they introduced speed limiters for LGV'S. We won't be able to do this, that, and the other. Guess what, we could and still can.

"It makes very little difference over a several hundred miles, so will only cost you seconds from Buckley to Chester. Stop moaning and get on with it. It's your own faults for not sticking to 30 in the first place.

Christine Gilbertson, from Connah's Quay, is also in favour of the 20mph speed limit.

She said: "I live on Wharfdale Avenue, we get lorries cutting through on the street as they can’t get round the roundabout.

"They then take branches off the tree outside mine. And I have to move them off the road. I don’t really have issues with 20 zones. If there’s traffic towards the roundabout, then cars and vans wiz through our streets as a short cut. It’s quite alarming sometimes."