Speed limits set to decrease from 30mph to 20mph following Senedd vote

The speed limit on a number of residential roads in Bridgend County Borough is set to change from 30mph to 20mph next year.

Welsh Government has approved the move as part of new plans for reducing pollution, increasing road safety and encouraging people to use alternative modes of transport for making short journeys.

The proposals will mainly affect roads in residential areas which meet specific criteria, such as having streetlights placed every 200 yards.

It follows a series of pilot schemes carried out around Wales as well as research which has confirmed that pedestrians are 40 per cent less likely to die when hit by a car travelling at 20mph compared with one that is travelling at 30mph.

The chance of survival for someone struck by a vehicle travelling at 20mph is 97 per cent, but this decreases with every additional mile that is added to the vehicle’s speed.

With research also demonstrating that reducing the speed limit in residential areas causes vehicles to use less fuel and significantly cuts down on emissions, the plans have been supported by organisations such as Public Health Wales, Living Streets Cymru, Sustrans Cymru and Cycling UK Cymru.

Bridgend County Borough Council is studying the proposals in further detail, and will be issuing further information on how this will affect local streets and roads.

The new speed limit will begin in September 2023 - look out for more details soon.