Monmouthshire County Council has conducted a comprehensive review of the 20mph speed limits across the county, following a Welsh Government directive to gather residents’ feedback and provision of new ’30mph exception’ guidance in 2024.
The council participated in the initial Welsh Government phase one project in 2022-23, with selected roads in Abergavenny and the Severnside area included as two of the eight national phase one projects.
Participating in the phase one project helped us to prepare for the national rollout in 2023. We recognised that the way each local road is used varies; therefore, we reviewed each one with local councillors before making decisions within the scope of the guidance from the Welsh Government. We also made amendments to the speed limit on certain roads in the phase one project, including changes to the B4245 and Caldicot Road.
Our request for feedback resulted in 1,496 individual responses from residents. This feedback indicated the specific locations where some residents believe a return to the 30mph speed limit is warranted. Four roads were identified for reassessment based on valuable feedback and analysis aligned with updated guidance; the B4245 through Magor, Undy, Rogiet, and Caldicot; Hereford Road, Abergavenny; A4143, Abergavenny; and A4077 Abergavenny Road and Cae Meldon, Gilwern.
After reassessing the identified roads against the Welsh Government’s 30mph exceptions guidance, which strongly emphasises providing a safer environment for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, the council has concluded that no further changes are required, and all roads currently set at 20mph should remain.
This resource provides a framework for Welsh Highway Authorities to assess the suitability of raising speed limits to 30mph on restricted and existing 20mph roads while considering local factors and circumstances.
Click on the roads below to find out more details on the reassessments.
B4245 through Magor, Undy, Rogiet and Caldicot (Click here)
In applying the guidance mentioned above to the B4245 through Magor, Undy, Rogiet and Caldicot, Monmouthshire County Council finds the following points relevant:
- Sections 3.2 & 3.3: The authority does not consider sufficient benefits to raising the speed limit at this location that would outweigh the negative impacts on pedestrian, cyclist, and wheelchair user safety.
- Section 4.2.2: Many sections of the B4245 traverse high-density areas with frequent pedestrian and cyclist activity.
- Section 4.2.2: Many sections of the B4245 have a residential density exceeding 20 properties per kilometre.
- Section 4.2.2: Residential properties border the B4245 at many locations, often necessitating crossings at points lacking controlled pedestrian infrastructure.
- Section 4.3.1: The B4245 is not a minor road within an industrial area with minimal pedestrian or cyclist traffic.
- Section 4.4.1: The majority of the B4245 through Magor and Undy lacks segregated facilities (meeting the required width as per Active Travel Act Guidance) for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Section 4.4.1: The B4245 has many uncontrolled pedestrian and cyclist crossing points.
- Section 4.6.2: Whilst there may be sections of the B4245 through Magor, Undy, Rogiet and Caldicot that do provide a good argument for an increase to 30mph, none of these sections are greater than 600m in length. The aforementioned guidance discourages frequent speed limit changes to avoid driver confusion, recommending against speed limits shorter than 600m.
When determining the most appropriate speed limit for these locations along the B4245, we must consider the environment of the entire route in general, which is primarily residential with regular pedestrian activity in the immediate vicinity of the active highway.
Based on the above considerations, Monmouthshire County Council does not consider it appropriate to revert the 20mph speed limit on the B4245 back to 30mph.
Hereford Road, Abergavenny (Click here)
In applying the guidance mentioned above to Hereford Road, Abergavenny Monmouthshire County Council finds the following points relevant:
- Section 4.6.2: There may be short sections of Hereford Road that could be considered appropriate for a 30mph speed limit. No section exceeding 600 meters in length meets all criteria necessary for a justifiable 30mph speed limit.
- Section 3.3.1: The majority of the 20mph section of Hereford Road has residences in close proximity.
- Section 4.2.1: Many sections of Hereford Road traverse high-density areas with frequent pedestrian and cyclist activity.
- Section 4.2.1: Hereford Road is within 100m walking distance of Llantilio Pertholey Community Hall and Bailey Park.
- Section 4.2.1: Many sections of Hereford Road have a residential density exceeding 20 properties per kilometre.
- Section 4.2.2: Residential properties border Hereford Road at many locations, often necessitating crossings at points lacking controlled pedestrian infrastructure.
- Section 4.3.1: Hereford Road is not a critical freight or bus route. Additionally, there is currently no evidence of significantly increased journey times since the implementation of the 20mph limit.
- Section 4.3.1: Hereford Road is not a minor road within an industrial area with minimal pedestrian or cyclist traffic.
- Section 4.4.1: Hereford Road has many uncontrolled pedestrian and cyclist crossing points.
- Section 4.6.2: Whilst there may be sections of the B4245 through Magor, Undy, Rogiet and Caldicot that do provide a good argument for an increase to 30mph, none of these sections are greater than 600m in length. The aforementioned guidance discourages frequent speed limit changes to avoid driver confusion, recommending against speed limits shorter than 600m.
When determining the most appropriate speed limit for Hereford Road, we must consider the environment of the entire route, which is primarily residential with regular pedestrian activity in the immediate vicinity of the active highway.
Based on the above considerations, Monmouthshire County Council does not consider it appropriate to revert the speed limit on Hereford Road back to 30mph.
A4143, Abergavenny (Click here)
In applying the guidance mentioned above to the A4143, Abergavenny Monmouthshire County Council finds the following points relevant:
- Sections 3.2 & 3.3: The authority does not consider sufficient recognised benefits to raising the speed limit at this location that would outweigh the negative impacts on road safety in general.
- Section 4.2.1: The A4143 is within relatively close proximity to Nevill Hall Hospital and serves to form part of a pedestrian route to reach the hospital.
- Section 4.3.1: The A4143 is not a critical freight or bus route. Additionally, there is currently no evidence of significantly increased journey times since the implementation of the 20mph limit.
- Section 4.4.1: The A4143 lacks segregated facilities (meeting the required width as per Active Travel Act Guidance) for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Section 4.4.1: The A4143 has instances of uncontrolled pedestrian crossing points.
- Section 4.6.2: While the environment of this location generally meets the criteria for a 30mph speed limit, the considered section is only approximately 570m in length. Guidance discourages frequent speed limit changes to avoid driver confusion, recommending against speed limits shorter than 600m.
In this instance, maintaining a consistent speed limit throughout Abergavenny takes priority from a road safety perspective. A 30mph limit would contribute to driver confusion and may encourage higher speeds on the approaches and exits, particularly on residential side roads like Union Road West. Therefore, the potential negative impacts on road safety are considered to significantly outweigh the minimal benefits of increasing the speed limit to 30mph at this location, which would only save motorists approximately 20 seconds.
Based on the above considerations, Monmouthshire County Council does not consider it appropriate to revert the speed limit on the A4143 back to 30mph.
A4077 Abergavenny Road and Cae Meldon, Gilwern (Click here)
In applying the guidance mentioned above to the A4077 Abergavenny Road and Cae Meldon, Gilwern Monmouthshire County Council finds the following points relevant:
- Sections 3.2 & 3.3: The authority does not consider there to be sufficient benefits to raising the speed limit at this location that would outweigh the negative impacts on pedestrian, cyclist, and wheelchair user safety.
- Section 4.2.2: Many sections of these locations pass through areas with high levels of pedestrian and cyclist activity. Cae Meldon is particularly notable, frequently experiencing pedestrian traffic in an area lacking segregated footway. This often results in pedestrians walking in the vicinity of the public adopted highway.
- Section 4.3.1: The A4077 is not a critical freight route. Additionally, there currently is no evidence of significantly increased journey times since the 20mph limit implementation.
- Section 4.4.1: The extent of the 20mph on the A4077 lacks segregated facilities (meeting the required width as per Active Travel Act Guidance) for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Section 4.2.1: Many sections of the A4077 have a residential density exceeding 20 properties per kilometre.
When determining the most appropriate speed limit for this location along A4077 Abergavenny Road and Cae Meldon, we must consider the environment of the entire route in general, which is primarily residential with regular pedestrian activity near the active highway.
Furthermore, following discussions with elected ward councillors, it has been concluded that the extent of the 20mph speed limit in this area should remain as is, which is supported by the immediate local residents.
Based on the above considerations, Monmouthshire County Council does not consider it appropriate to revert the speed limit on the A4077 and Cae Meldon to 30mph.
600m Minimum Speed Limit Length
| You may note that the guidance states the following about the minimum length of speed limits: 4.6.1 When applying this guidance, frequent changes in speed limit should be avoided, to avoid driver confusion. 4.6.2 As per SLSLiW, the minimum length of a speed limit should generally be not less than 600 metres to avoid too many changes along the route. This can be reduced to 400 metres for lower speed limits, or even 300 metres on roads with a purely local access function. Anything shorter is not recommended.’ These minimum lengths do not apply to buffer limits, detailed below. It is important to clarify that the 400m minimum specifically refers to lower speed limits (20mph or less), with the 300m minimum referring to roads with purely local access functions. None of these criteria apply to the routes being reassessed; therefore, the 600m minimum speed limit length applies. |
The Senedd passed The Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022 legislation in 2022. This means speed limits on most restricted roads will reduce from 30mph to 20mph from September 2023.
Restricted roads include street lights placed no more than 200 yards apart. They are usually located in residential and built-up areas with high pedestrian activity.
Reducing the default speed limit from 30mph to 20mph in these areas could see a number of benefits, including:
- a reduction in the number of road collisions
- more opportunities to walk and cycle in our communities
- helping to improve our health and wellbeing
- making our streets safer
- safeguarding the environment for future generations.
- reduced severity of injury if collisions do occur
Wales is one of the first countries in the world and the first nation in the UK to introduce legislation to have a 20mph speed limit on roads where cars mix with pedestrians and cyclists.
These changes support:
- Welsh Government’s Programme for Government commitment
- Llwybr Newydd: the Wales Transport Strategy, which prioritises walking and cycling above all other modes of travel
- Future Wales: the national plan 2040, which sets the aim for people to live in places where travel has a low environmental impact
Additional information on the Welsh Government’s Default 20mph Speed Limit can be found here.