Minister Behind Controversial 20mph Announces Plans to Quit – But Was Frustrating Motorists Part of the Plan?

Welsh Minister Lee Waters MS has today announced he will be retiring from his transport role ‘in two weeks’ on X, taking a side swipe at platform owner Elon Musk in the process.

He said:

“Over the last 15 years I’ve spent far too much time on Twitter. It stopped being fun a while ago but I now get a pile of malign comments for even the most innocuous posts.

“When I leave my transport role in a fortnight I’ll be deleting my account.

“Elon can shove it up his X”

— Lee Waters MS (@Amanwy) March 4, 2024 

The Minister turned off comments on his post, but the 89,000 strong “20 is Not Plenty” Facebook Campaign Group had plenty to say on social media, with many saying that the MS for Llanelli could use Wales’ many cycle paths to ‘get on his bike’.

The popular petition against controversial blanket 20mph restrictions has been signed by over 469,300 people (with signatures still rising) and closes on 13 March, shortly before the new first Minister is announced on 16 March.

Was frustrating Motorists the goal all along?

Analysis of an Integrated Impact Assessment conducted in 2022 reveals that the Welsh Government were clearly aware that the majority of respondents were not in favour of the 20mph proposals with 46% considering a reduction in speed limit is needed, 51% stating there is no need and 3% either did not know or did not answer – yet they pursued the policy anyway.

Comments in the document also reveal a clear and deliberate intention to deter motorists from using their cars, saying:

“PPW also has a policy to require the use of a sustainable transport hierarchy which prioritises walking and cycling and public transport ahead of private motor vehicles. The sustainable transport hierarchy should be used to reduce the need to travel, prevent car-dependent developments and support the delivery of schemes located, designed, and supported by infrastructure which prioritises access and movement by active travel and sustainable transport.”

The document also reveals that some organisations were also opposed to the plans:

“Organisations not in favour of the proposal expressed the view that blanket changes from 30mph to 20mph are not an effective tool to reduce casualties and encourage active travel. There was also a concern that the change would add to adverse climate change and that it might lead to an unintended consequence of children not taking as much care when crossing the road as currently (where the speed limit is 30mph).”

This insistence on car reduction is further reinforced by the Welsh Government’s Transport Delivery Plan 2022/27, which clearly states goals to reduce car usage and includes plans to charge motorists for using roads.

Petition Organiser Mark Baker said:

“I don’t remember any of this being in their manifesto, other than 20mph in residential areas.

“The general public were not properly informed, either over the expense of swathes of cycle paths that hardly anybody uses or about the blanket 20mph, and certainly not about charging for road use.

“I’d add farmers were not properly consulted about the ridiculous proposals to restrict how farmers can use their land.  They didn’t even consult cyclists about cycle paths, which is why most of the cycle paths sit largely unused and cyclists are mostly on public roads.

“I have spoken to so many people since launching the petition – and they are clear about what they want from our Government.  They want the gaping potholes in Welsh roads fixed, they want investment in our children’s education and in our NHS and they want better public transport because cycling in the rain is not an option for many.  That’s what they expect our Ministers to act on, and fast.

“Ministers must adopt the priorities of the people who voted for them.  I cannot say I am sad to see these two depart from office.

“I only hope that the next First Minister is more concerned with serving Wales, supporting transport rather than impeding motorists, supporting farmers rather than frustrating our food producers and investing in other forms of transport, not just cycling.  It’s been a much bigger priority for them than road users, businesses and public transport in Wales.  I for one will be glad to see them cycle off into the sunset come 16 March – they can finally put their own paths to some use.”