News

The new 20mph limit: Welsh Government admits mistakes

Published

1 year ago

December 13, 2024

THE CONTROVERSIAL rollout of 20mph speed limits across Wales has drawn widespread public ire, and now, the Welsh Government has admitted to serious errors in its implementation.

This policy, which was introduced with the intention of improving road safety and reducing accidents, has instead sparked frustration among drivers and criticism from opposition parties. Among the most contentious enforcement zones are the A4102 in Merthyr Tydfil, where over 8,000 drivers were caught exceeding the speed limit in the past year, and the A5104 in Flintshire, with nearly 7,200 drivers penalized.

Conservative criticism

***Some villages have been happy with the new speed limit, citing safety improvements***

Peter Fox MS, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Transport, and Rural Affairs, didn’t hold back in his assessment of the situation. He stated:
“This is not the first time the Welsh Government has admitted this policy was badly implemented, yet we still haven’t seen any significant changes being made.

“It is not right that the job of fixing the mistakes of this Labour Government has been passed onto already overstretched councils.

“It is the Labour Government’s responsibility to ensure speed limits are targeted appropriately, focusing on sensitive areas where they make sense, to restore public confidence and ease the burden on councils and drivers.”

Local authorities take action

Amid the backlash, local authorities across Wales have begun consulting with residents to identify which roads could potentially revert to their original 30mph speed limits. In a notable shift, the Welsh Government is reportedly supporting these consultations and actively reviewing areas where the blanket 20mph policy may not be suitable.

The decision to reconsider comes as councils struggle to enforce the limits while facing widespread noncompliance and public dissatisfaction. Many residents argue that applying 20mph speed limits indiscriminately to all roads, rather than focusing on areas like schools and residential zones, undermines the policy’s credibility and practicality.

Public backlash

The backlash has not been limited to drivers; businesses have also voiced concerns. Delivery firms and local traders claim the slower speeds have increased travel times and costs, impacting operations and customer satisfaction. Rural communities, in particular, feel the restrictions are unnecessary and disproportionately affect their daily lives.

A policy in crisis

This admission of mistakes represents a significant climbdown for the Welsh Government, which has faced mounting criticism since the policy’s introduction. Public confidence in the government’s handling of infrastructure issues has taken a hit, and critics are calling for a more nuanced approach moving forward.

While some applaud the government for acknowledging its shortcomings, others demand tangible changes to ensure speed limits are applied sensibly, protecting vulnerable road users without penalizing drivers unnecessarily. For now, the fate of the 20mph policy hangs in the balance as public consultations and government inquiries unfold.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.