News

When the Senedd voted in favour in July 2022, Wales became the first UK nation to pass legislation to lower the default national speed limit on residential roads and busy pedestrian streets from 30mph to 20mph. Work is underway to get Wales ready for the change, with the new speed limit coming into force on 17 September 2023.

The new legislation will not apply a blanket speed limit on all roads, it will simply make the speed limit on restricted roads 20mph. Highway authorities, who know their area best, are starting to engage with their local communities to decide which roads should remain at 30mph.

An exceptions process and criteria were developed and later updated following feedback received from eight 20mph first phase settlements across Wales.

Wales-wide data sets have been used to produce draft maps - identifying where exceptions could be appropriate – which Highway Authorities have been refining and updating based on local knowledge.

This interactive map brings together the exceptions data for the 23 Highway Authorities and offers an indication of the proposed plans.

For more information on the 20mph National Implementation please visit: Introducing 20mph speed limits: frequently asked questions | GOV.WALES