Rural Communities 20 mph Speed Limit 2023-12-06
2023-12-06
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Discussions on the potential economic and community impacts of a proposed 20 mph speed limit in Wales.
What recent discussions has he had with the Welsh Government on the potential impact of the 20 mph speed limit on rural communities?
All of us support speed limits in places where there is a risk to life. I have supported speed limits outside schools, hospitals and other places in my constituency, but the Welsh Labour Government's policy of bringing in a 20 mph speed limit on all 30 mph roads—a blanket speed limit—is damaging for the economy. By their own figures, they have suggested that it could create a £4.5 billion hit to the Welsh economy.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide details of recent discussions or specific assessments requested by the MP.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
A petition has been signed by more than 8,700 people on Ynys Môn and almost half a million across Wales to rescind the Welsh Labour Government's 20 mph law.
I thank the Secretary of State for his answer. More than 8,700 people on Ynys Môn and almost half a million across Wales have signed the Senedd petition to rescind and remove the disastrous 20 mph law. In fact, more people have signed the petition than voted for Labour in the last Senedd election. Unlike the Welsh Labour Government, will the Secretary of State listen to people across Wales and join me in calling for the Welsh Labour Government to reverse this new, disastrous 20 mph law?
I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend and call on the Welsh Labour Government to rescind the policy of a blanket 20 mph speed limit across Wales. At the same time, I call on them to rescind their policy of building no new roads ever again in Wales, and I call on them to scrap their policy of bringing in road charging for using the motorway network.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether he will join the call to reverse the 20 mph law but instead mentioned other policies.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Welsh Labour Government's policy of a blanket 20 mph speed limit is impacting the economy and potentially deterring tourists.
We have already heard about the importance of tourism to the Welsh economy. Has my right hon. Friend made any assessment of the impact on tourism, which will disappear from Wales as a result of this blanket ban?
My hon. Friend makes an interesting point. People will now not only have to pay extra money to come into Wales as a result of the Welsh Labour Government's tourism tax, but find it a lot slower to get around Wales as a result of the Welsh Labour Government's speed limits.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide an assessment of impact on tourism specifically requested by the MP.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Local authorities in Wales have had the opportunity to exempt roads and villages from a blanket application of a speed limit, but some councils like Devon County Council have less discretion.
Local authorities in Wales have had the opportunity to exempt roads and villages from the blanket application of a speed limit. Devon County Council has had less discretion. In May this year, 105 parishes in Devon applied to the county council to have a 20 mph limit, but only six applications were granted. Does the Minister accept that an opt-in system for 20 mph zones depends on local authorities having enough funding to exercise discretion?
The hon. Gentleman's party is in charge in Powys—I am not sure whether he is aware of that. The reality is that local authorities across Wales need more funding to implement such policies, which have cost £30 million. The Welsh Labour Government are diverting money from local authorities so that they can spend it on their pet schemes, including extra Senedd Members.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not accept the premise of needing adequate funding but instead criticised other parties and policies.
Response accuracy