Lobbying Group Calls for More Welsh Government Transparency after Transport Development Plan Reveals Possible Agenda Behind 20mph

A Welsh Lobby Group has called for more transparency after analysis of the Welsh Government’s Transport Development Plan reveals plans to restrict driving in the principality that were not openly disclosed in the party’s Manifesto ahead of the 2022 Senedd elections, which members believe are the true justification behind the imposition of a default 20mph speed limit across Wales.

The Senedd Lobby Group was established in 2023 to monitor and protest against the impact of the 20mph legislation and hold the Welsh Government to account.

Members of the group come from across Wales, and while they appreciate the recent listening exercise carried out by Transport Minister, Ken Skates, they say they do not believe that the new proposals, announced last week, go far enough in repealing an overly low speed limit they feel is both unpopular and unreasonable in many instances.

The group’s concern is that the promised benefits from 20mph have not been realised, yet over £1.2 million in fines has so far been raised from Welsh motorists in 20mph areas, with little to no real benefits for residents.

A group spokesman said:

“The promised benefits to the environment did not happen.  Transport for Wales (TfW) published the 20mph phase 1 air quality monitoring report in May 2024. The data shows no material effect on local air quality to date.  Furthermore, Imperial College London found that 20mph limited areas were “pollution neutral”.

“Welsh Government then moved the emphasis to saving lives.  However, this too is not supported by recently released statistics. The figures comparing Quarter 4 2022 with Quarter 4 2023 (when 20mph was implemented) do not show the promised benefit of lives saved and serious injuries reduced. There has been one less death when comparing those quarterly figures and serious injuries actually increased to 92.

Source: Welsh Government

Welsh Transport Delivery Plan Proposals

On analysing the Transport Delivery Plan 2022-27, the group remain sceptical of the Government’s motives.  The spokesperson continues:

“Reading this document, our concern is that the implementation of the 20mph legislation was never about benefits to the climate, nor about saving lives nor saving the NHS money.  We question whether the decision to implement the policy was only ever about meeting their agenda as set out in the Welsh Labour document Wales Transport Delivery Plan.”

The plan, which is available online, but which most residents will not have viewed, mentions a number of policies which are likely to be particularly controversial, not least Section 3.3.3 “Motivation to make a shift away from private car use” on page 45 of the document.

The most controversial paragraph within the document is repeated below:

“We will also motivate people away from private car use through demand management – the Wales Transport Strategy includes a commitment to develop a national road user charging framework. Further work will be undertaken to develop a fair and equitable road user charging framework, including how local authorities can borrow against these future revenue streams to fund transport improvements; and also consider other alternatives such as workplace car parking levies and road space reallocation.”

The charging framework is yet to be announced, although the group understands a trial road charging network in Cardiff City Centre is planned for the near future.

The group spokesman concluded:

“I’d like to draw people’s attention to another quote from the same document, one that appears to be the real reason behind the 20mph legislation:

“We believe the lower speed limits may encourage more people to choose active ways to travel and there will be fewer polluting cars on the roads.”

“The announcement last week on the revised guidelines does nothing to dissipate the anger felt towards the Welsh Labour Government.  All this legislation has achieved is more scrutiny of Welsh Government than they have ever had over the last 25 years – and that additional scrutiny has found a lot to be angry about.”

“The waste of public money, the “we know best” attitude, adding 36 more Senedd members at a time when the NHS and all public services are struggling for funding. The Welsh Labour Government is out of touch with the wants and needs of the people they represent.”

“Changing First Minister, whoever is chosen, will only work if the next candidate not only says they will listen to the people they want to represent but takes action to show they have truly listened and will not make the same mistakes as their predecessors.

“That must start with more transparency and more honest engagement with residents.”