Survey asked 2,000 people in Wales how they now felt about the limit
A new poll has been conducted on the 20mph limit in Wales. The 20mph default limit came into force in September 2023 after being part of Labour’s Senedd 2021 manifesto.
It led to an immediate backlash from drivers. There have been protests on the roads and at the Senedd – while a petition calling for it to be scrapped had more than half a million signatures.
A YouGov poll in 2024 found seven in ten (72%) say they opposed the new limit.
While proving unpopular it has delivered results in terms of cutting collisions and casualties – with police figures showing significant falls in both since the limit came in.
BBC Wales commissioned a fresh poll to see if attitudes had changed as we approach the Senedd elections in May. It was conducted by Savanta – with an online survey of 2,086 people in Wales.
This has shown that a majority (54%) remain opposed to the 20mph limit while just 30% support it. Supporters could point to a reduction in the opposition since the YouGov poll in 2024 but it also shows that more than half of people in Wales remain against the default.
There have been changes made since the limit came in. Councils have always had the powers to retain roads at 30mph where they deem it appropriate and safe. But there has been huge variations in how local authorities have used these powers.
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It saw Welsh Government change the guidance and since then hundreds of 20mph roads have reverted to 30mph.
While opposition is still strong it remains to be seen if it will impact voting at the Senedd election in May. Labour and Plaid supported the limit coming in. Some Conservatives were initially behind the change but later performed a u-turn.
Now the Tories and Reform UK say they will scrap the limit if elected in May.
It cost around £32m to introduce and the changes made when guidance was amended has added at least £3m to the bill. Scrapping it would be expected to once again cost more than £30m.
Supporters of 20mph say that the limit provides annual savings due to fewer crashes and injuries. But opponents cite the potential economic impact of slower driving speeds.
