Calls have been made to return parts of two roads in Newtown to 30mph speed limits after the limit was lowered to 20mph in September.
At a full Powys County Council meeting on Thursday, December 7, cabinet member for highways, Liberal Democrat, Cllr Jackie Charlton will respond to the call.
In the section of the meeting for questions from the public, John Williams will ask Cllr Charlton when will the council “implement” changing the speed limits on Pool Road and Kerry Road back to 30mph.
Mr Williams said: “In early October, a poll was carried out in three of the more popular community Facebook groups in Newtown, to determine how people felt about the imposition of 20mph zones on Pool Road and Kerry Road in Newtown.
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“In just two days, the overwhelming majority of recipients were in favour of returning both roads to 30mph.”
Mr Williams argues that on an 840-metre section of Pool Road (A4811) “dedicated cycle and pedestrian paths” qualifies the route for an exemption from the speed limit.
A 600 metre section of the Kerry Road (A489) is a “main arterial road” for traffic passing through Newtown, Mr Williams says, which also qualifies it for an exemption.
Mr Williams believes that not making these roads exceptions to the 20mph limit was an “error” by the council that needs to be rectified.
Mr Williams said: “The Welsh Government guidance states that the highway authorities (in this case Powys County Council) continue to have the flexibility to set local speed limits that are right for individual roads, reflecting local needs and considerations."
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Ahead of the speed limit changes the council held a consultation from June 30 and July 21 to exempt 241 stretches of road throughout the county from being changed to 20mph zones.
Cllr Charlton said: “The criteria, set by Welsh Government, was based on the density of adjacent residential and retail premises fronting a road and the proximity of facilities such as educational establishments, community centres and hospitals as well as active travel routes.”
She explained that the procedure is “open to interpretation” and that in some areas it may need “reassessing”.
Cllr Charton said: “We are currently awaiting the publication of Welsh Government’s update to the ‘Setting Local Speed Limits in Wales’ guidance document.
“This document is anticipated to be published in 2024 and will encompass updated guidance on what roads should be 30mph or 20mph.
“Since the introduction of the new 20mph restrictions there has been considerable discussion amongst highway authorities across Wales about the process of reviewing its exception sites.
“The consensus is that the new 20mph restrictions should be allowed to settle for around 12 months and in the meantime, authorities are collating all requests and comments received for consideration in the future.”
She added that reviews would be conducted after a year has passed and the revised guidance has been published.
Mr Williams will be allowed to ask a follow up question at Thursday’s meeting.
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