Update and next steps - July 2025
After the introduction of the default 20 mph speed limit on restricted roads across Wales in September 2023, a number of roads are now reverted back to 30mph following a public consultation process:
- Public feedback requesting list of roads for reverting to 30mph via initial Welsh Government consultation between May 2024 and September 2024
- TRO process Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) stage – a legal process that must be followed if before altering the speed limit, this was a more detailed consultation on each road requested for reversion, alongside consideration of Welsh Government: guidance for highway authorities (external link)
- A list of 52 sections of highway which met the Welsh Government criteria for reversion back to 30mph was presented to the Executive Board in February 2025. The Executive Board approved the list in full.
- Funding of £400,000 was approved and supplied by Welsh Government to cover the signage works to ensure full compliance in accordance with the legal Traffic Regulation Orders, in addition to some minor works on the highways to improve safety. Contractors have been appointed and works to change signage has begun.
Update and next steps – October 2024
Following the introduction of a statutory 20mph speed limit in September 2023, Welsh Government invited people across Wales to contact their local council with feedback on how this change was implemented in their local area. This Welsh Government listening phase took place between May 2024 and September 2024.
In Wrexham, a total of 440 email responses were received as part of the public consultation asking for the public view on the 20mph roads. Of these:
- 207 were general comments against the 20mph scheme in its entirety
- 152 provided individual locations they wished to be increased back to 30mph
- 54 provided numerous locations they wished to be reviewed
- 27 responses supported the 20mph limit and did not wish to see any roads revert back to 30mph
20mph speed restrictions - September 2023
On September 17, 2023, most 30mph speed limits in Wales changed to 20mph.
The speed limit changed on residential and busy pedestrian streets to:
- make our streets safer, reducing the number of people killed or injured (as well as reducing the impact on the NHS)
- encourage more people to walk and cycle
- help to improve our health and well-being
- safeguard the environment for future generations
Supporting 20
You can help create safer streets and healthier communities by driving at 20mph or below on residential and busy streets.
GoSafe and the police will enforce the 20mph restrictions, like any other speed limit, to make our roads safer for all users. They will also be helping to engage and educate motorists.
See street lights? Think 20
When you see streetlights, you should assume that the speed limit is 20mph, unless signed otherwise.
These streets will generally be residential or busy pedestrian streets.
Not all streets changed to 20mph. The streets which have stayed at a 30mph speed limit will have 30mph signs to tell you this.
This is a Welsh Government national change that all local authorities in Wales must comply with.
These changes apply across Wales and more information can be found on the Welsh Government 20mph pages (external link), which includes a list of frequently asked questions.