Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rural Communities: 20 mph Speed Limit

Wednesday 6 December 2023 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions have focused on the potential impacts of a 20 mph speed limit on rural Welsh communities.
  • The Welsh Labour Government's policy of a blanket 20 mph speed limit on all 30 mph roads is criticized for being damaging.
  • Local authorities in Wales have had limited discretion and financial support to exempt roads and villages from the blanket 20 mph speed limit.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Economy Transport
Context

Discussions on the potential economic and community impacts of a proposed 20 mph speed limit in Wales.

Question

What recent discussions has he had with the Welsh Government on the potential impact of the 20 mph speed limit on rural communities?

Answer from David Davies

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide details of recent discussions or specific assessments requested by the MP.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Virginia Crosbie
Wales
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.

Question

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?

Answer from David Davies

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.

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether he will join the call to reverse the 20 mph law but instead mentioned other policies.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Economy Wales
Context

The Welsh Labour Government's policy of a blanket 20 mph speed limit is impacting the economy and potentially deterring tourists.

Question

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?

Answer from David Davies

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide an assessment of impact on tourism specifically requested by the MP.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Transport Local Government
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.

Question

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?

Answer from David Davies

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.

Not addressed: Did not accept the premise of needing adequate funding but instead criticised other parties and policies.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)