A FORMER minister who introduced the controversial 20mph scheme said there are "things the Welsh Government should have done differently" in its implementation. 

Lee Waters MS was speaking in the Senedd where a debate on the petition calling for the scheme to be scrapped was taking place on Wednesday (May 22). 

The record-breaking petition received nearly half a million signatures - with Mr Waters saying that the level of public outcry was "greater than we anticipated". 

The petition itself was noted by the Senedd committee - with new Transport Secretary Ken Skates saying that he is confident a reformed version of 20mph will be a "success". 

In an emotive speech, Mr Waters said: "We’ve seen culture warriors, here and elsewhere, seize on the issue to create conflict in communities. And we’ve seen deliberate misinformation, and false descriptions like ‘blanket’, designed to deliberately sow confusion. And our evidenced-based, modestly funded, information campaign, was simply drowned out. We lost the comms war.

"It has been rough on everyone on the frontline of this bold and ambitious policy. So to everyone in a public facing role who has faced the wrath and abuse that has come with this big change; to local government officers, local councillors, community campaigners, Senedd Members and MPs, to the police and fire service - cn I say thank you. We should all be proud of the fact that the policy is working. Speeds are down. People are driving slower. Despite the criminal damage, the misinformation, the aggressive driving and tailgating, the protests, and the petition."

Mr Waters said that for every drop in the average speed limit, road casualties are expected to fall by six per cent.

"That’s fewer heartbroken families, fewer lives destroyed, fewer people filling A&E and consultant waiting lists," he said. "And fewer who feel unsafe in their own communities. I’m not sure what price you can put on that to be honest.

"Has the implementation been perfect? Of course it hasn’t. It was never going to be.The reality is that there just was not enough capacity and resources at the Welsh Government end, nor at the local government end, to do everything we wished to. Has it been universally welcomed? Of course it hasn’t. It was never going to be. But while we hear from the objectors we tend not to hear so much from the supporters."

Mr Waters admitted that "mistakes were made", especially in failing to properly consult with communities.

"And in the uneven and inflexible way the guidance was interpreted in some parts of Wales," he said. "I am prepared to accept my part in all that. But let the two thirds of members of the Senedd who supported a default 20mph speed limit remember: There are people alive today because of this law. Together we will have saved lives."

New Transport Secretary, Ken Skates, said: "We must recognise the range of voices that are in favour and oppose this policy."

He explained that he aims to address people's concerns and acknowledged that the debate had "polarised" communities. 

Mr Skates said he is taking "full responsibility on this reset" in regards to the policy. He added: "I believe we can make the 20mph policy in built-up areas a success."