Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet recently approved those roads that will be ‘exceptions’ to the new legislation from Welsh Government reducing the default national speed limit from 30mph to 20mph on restricted roads.
The legislation will come into force across Wales on 17th September 2023. From that date, the maximum speed you can legally travel on restricted roads will be 20mph.
On some roads, a 20mph speed limit would not be appropriate. These roads will be known as exceptions, and the 30mph speed limit will remain.
The majority of roads identified as exceptions will go ahead as planned, apart from four proposals following consideration of objections submitted by ward councillors and residents during the consultation period.
In Blackwood, the approaches to the roundabout where Highfields Way meets Bryn Road will be reduced to 20mph.
In Maesycwmmer, the limit on the A472 outside Shappelles Dance School will be reduced to 20mph because of “significant traffic flows and concerns regarding visibility for pedestrians and cyclists” on the adjoining A469.
In Trethomas, a proposed 30mph “buffer zone” on the A468 near Clos Pantglas will be shortened slightly after residents raised concerns about the safety of children who play at a nearby park.
In Ystrad Mynach, the council agreed to make a stretch of the A472 Caerphilly Road around Tredomen Roundabout 20mph after objections from Gelligaer Community Council and from several residents.
The council will also introduce reductions to a 40mph speed limit on four stretches of road: the A469 between Bargoed and Brithdir, the A4048 north of Hollybush, the B4254 between Gelligaer and Nelson, and the A472 between Nelson and Tredomen.
The Police and GoSafe will continue to enforce 20mph, like any other speed limit, to make our roads safer for all users. They will also be helping to engage with and educate motorists to ensure that the new speed limits are respected, and driver behaviour change is supported.
