Wrexham Council’s decision to reverse 20mph speed limits may face a legal challenge over safety concerns.
Roads might return to 30 mph by May, depending on local talks. However, a safer speeds group leader disagrees, suggesting the council’s decision is flawed and could be challenged legally.
Rod King, who leads “20’s Plenty”, says the council lacked valid reasons. He believes they did not meet legal rules that govern Traffic Regulation Orders or TROs.
TRO rules require a ‘statutory purpose’. This legal term could cause problems, making increasing speed limits open to challenge. Statutory purposes avoid danger to people.
King argues higher speeds increase danger, opposing the ‘statutory purpose’ rules. He thinks the council’s decision is legally weak, as data shows 20 mph limits help road safety.
He supports 30 mph limits sometimes, but he wants analysis proving safety first. Some roads are near schools, while others are on walking/cycling paths, where higher speeds endanger people.
According to King, this is about safety, not preference. Decisions should consider if higher speeds are safe. He claims arguments against it were presented, and evidence must guide the decision.
A consultation was held in December and January. The results showed most residents wanted 30 mph returned, with ninety-three percent agreeing. The Wrexham Council board then approved it.
Across Wales, road deaths fell 28%, according to the Welsh government. Six hundred and seventy-eight fewer injuries occurred up to September 2024.
King claims this policy has had a big impact, and car insurance rates in Wales also fell. Drivers hurt fewer people by following limits, but now, the council plans to reverse that.
He believes the council ignores safety data and is giving consultation responses too much weight. Faster drivers may gain seconds, but at the cost of endangering lives?
King is critical of politicians wanting change, as he feels they risk lives and injuries. He suggests looking at Newport Council’s approach, which analyzed roads before raising limits.
Newport assessed 331 roads individually. They then published their road analysis, which showed some areas met the criteria. However, they rejected most roads for higher speed.
King is disappointed in the Welsh Government, which he feels seems to want mass changes to speed limits and isn’t prioritizing road user safety. He says the situation could be better.
Currently, there’s no plan for a court challenge, but King is considering it as an option. He believes there are grounds for a case and wants more discussion on the matter.
Council leader David Bithell responded to criticism, saying they followed all due process. He also says they followed Welsh Government criteria and suggests King talk to them.