20mph: Transport Secretary visits pilot town Buckley

Ken Skates visited Liverpool Road on Friday as plans are made for "targeted change" to the controversial speed limit in Wales. 

Mr Skates was met by Buckley's county councillors, as well as Flintshire County Council's Transport Manager, Anthony Stanford and Cabinet Member for Streetscene, Cllr Dave Hughes.

It comes after he announced changes the criteria will enable individual councils to revert routes back to 30mph where appropriate, adding that this will allow for "radical" changes, if that is "what people want".

Buckley was one of the pilot areas for the 20mph scheme before it was rolled out across Wales. 

Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, Ken Skates said: “I am pleased to be in Buckley today listening to some of the genuine concerns that local residents have raised on 20mph.

“Listening has always been a top priority for me, and I want to put communities at the heart of our thinking as we work with local councils to press ahead with refining the policy so that we get the right speeds on the right roads."

He added: “We all have a role to play in this process and that’s why I am encouraging people to be part of this national conversation and let their local council know which roads they think should be exempt so that we have the right speeds on the right roads. The website we are launching today provides all the information you need to get involved.”

Mr Skates was quizzed by councillors on why the concerns raised by residents of Buckley prior to the roll out "were ignored". 

He said: "One of the big factors that determines the success of schemes like this is whether you've got public support. It's absolutely crucial that you bring people with you and that's why it's important we listen as much as we can and get enough evidence from people to make changes that will be accepted and will be embraced."

Mr Skates mentioned a number of local roads that are currently subject to 20mph which need to be reviewed, including Mold Road in Gwersyllt and Hawarden Road in Penyffordd. 

Cllr Dave Hughes said: “I am very grateful for Ken’s visit to Buckley today. This is the first step towards a much-needed review of the 20mph criteria.

“Flintshire County Council is looking forward to working closely with Welsh Government to ensure a positive outcome for our communities.”

Donna Cosstick, a Buckley resident, was there in protest to the 20mph limit. She said: "We were a so-called pilot scheme. We thought this meant they (the Welsh Government) would see how it went and then change the policy according to how it was received. At that stage we told them all the things that were wrong. 

"We've been fighting it for over 20 years and where are we? Nowhere. The thing doesn't work. I have been driving for over 50 years, I've never broken the law but now I am constantly because I refuse to drive at 20mph."