News

Welsh 20mph Limit Policy: Controversy and Confusion

Published

2 years ago

September 7, 2023

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT’S newly introduced 20mph speed limit policy has come under fire following a series of conflicting statements and criticisms over its implementation and potential economic implications.

Despite the Welsh Government’s earlier claim in a press release that fire service staff would work to stop speeding motorists in 20mph areas, a subsequent statement confirmed that only the Police and GoSafe would be responsible for enforcing the speed limit. This contradicts the assertion that motorists would be offered an educational video by fire service staff as an alternative to fines or prosecution.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister, Natasha Asghar MS, criticised the conflicting information, stating, “It does nothing more than confuse motorists already in the dark due to Labour’s failed awareness campaign.” She further highlighted the potential financial implications of the policy, asserting that it would cost the Welsh economy an estimated £4.5 billion.

Further muddying the waters, the Shadow Minister for North Wales, Darren Millar MS, said that the Labour Government must reconsider its plans for the 20mph limit, emphasising that the Welsh Government appears to lack the necessary resources to police the scheme effectively.

However, a spokesperson for the Welsh Government emphasised the role of fire officers in the educational side of the roll-out, highlighting their frequent involvement in traffic collision aftercare. They were keen to clarify that fire officers would not be diverted from their regular duties.

Further controversies have arisen over the 20mph policy. An investigation by the Welsh Conservatives discovered instances of a Labour council removing 20mph signs outside schools before the official roll-out of the new speed limit. Natasha Asghar MS termed the move as “reckless and irresponsible”, adding that it risks the safety of children, especially as pupils return after summer holidays.

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies MS, called for urgent clarification from the First Minister regarding the impact on the Welsh NHS budget, considering the financial implications of the speed limit change.

The 20mph speed limit policy, which was aimed at improving road safety, has inadvertently ignited concerns over its financial implications, clarity of enforcement, and potential risks to child safety due to premature removal of speed limit signs outside schools. The coming weeks will determine how these issues are addressed as the policy comes into effect.

DRAKEFORD LEARNS OF IMPACT

First Minister Mark Drakeford this week (Thursday, Sept 7) visited one of the first areas in Wales to trial the new 20mph limit to learn more about the impact of the “biggest step-change in community safety in a generation.”

With just 10 days to go before the default 20mph speed limit will be introduced across Wales, the First Minister met business owners, parents and school children in St Brides Major, in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Wales will become the first part of the UK to introduce a nationwide 20mph speed limit as most residential roads, which currently have a 30mph speed limit, switch to 20mph on Sunday, September 17.

St Brides Major was one of the first trial sites for the 20mph speed limit.

While visiting the village, the First Minister met with B&B owners Chris and Julie Davies who are happy with the slower speeds and said they make a positive difference to St Brides. Local community members who were successful in campaigning for safer streets through the group Safer St Brides were also keen to share their stories during the First Minister’s visit.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Reducing speeds not only saves lives, it helps build safer communities for everyone, including motorists – better places to live our lives.

“It will help make our streets quieter, reducing noise pollution, and slower speeds will give more people the confidence to cycle and walk around their local areas and encourage children to play outdoors.

“Evidence from around the world is clear – reducing speed limits reduces collisions and saves lives.”

Wales will follow a similar approach taken in Spain where the speed limit on the majority of roads was changed to 30km/h in 2019.

Since then, Spain has reported 20% fewer urban road deaths, and fatalities have reduced by 34% for cyclists and 24% for pedestrians.

Research shows the 20mph default speed limit could save £92m a year by reducing the number of deaths and injuries. It could also help to reduce pressure on the NHS from a reduction in injuries from road traffic collisions.

Over the first decade, it is estimated a lower speed limit will save up to 100 lives and 20,000 casualties.

The change comes after four years of work with local authorities, police, and road safety experts to design a change in the law.

Local owner of St Bridget’s Farm B&B, Chris Davies said: “The people of St Brides have worked hard to get speeds lowered, and since the introduction of 20mph I’m pleased to say we’ve seen a noticeable difference in people travelling slower through the village and a lot less noise from speeding cars as a result.

“It now feels much safer for local people, especially children, and it’s lovely for guests at our B&B to be able to enjoy being out and about in the village.”

One of the campaigners for Safer St Brides, Nia Lloyd-Knott added: “The rollout of 20mph in St Brides Major has been fantastic. As a village we campaigned for slower speeds for a long time, so we were delighted to be chosen as one of the early adopters of 20mph.

“The village has a lot of families who are very keen walkers and cyclists, so the introduction of slower speeds has had a huge impact for the whole village, with many more parents feeling comfortable to let their children travel to the local school independently.”

Charity

Seven-year-old completes Mayday Mile to support RNLI

Published

19 minutes ago

June 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Leo Candler walks and cycles 61 miles in one month for lifesaving charity

A DETERMINED seven-year-old from Pembrokeshire has raised hundreds of pounds for the RNLI after walking or cycling more than a mile every day throughout May.

Leo Candler took part in the RNLI’s Mayday Mile challenge, clocking up a total of 61 miles during the month. His efforts have already more than doubled his original fundraising target of £125, with donations currently standing at £286 — and still rising.

Inspired by his father’s role

Leo’s passion for the lifesaving charity is deeply rooted in family. His father, Scott, is both a Lifeguard Assessor Trainer and a volunteer crew member on the St Davids Lifeboat.

“Leo’s always been the RNLI’s number one fan,” said his mother, Simona Candler. “He’s grown up with the yellow wellies, supporting his dad on the beach, watching lifeboat launches, and visiting the RNLI College. He absolutely loves it.”

Some of Leo’s walks and rides took him to and from local lifeboat stations, and included visits to RNLI lifeguards at Whitesands Beach. He was often joined by his younger brother Zane, aged three, who is already following in his footsteps.

A mission that matters

“Even though Leo is only seven, he understands how important the RNLI’s work is — not just in the UK but around the world,” said Simona. “He knows his dad went to Bangladesh to help set up their lifeguard service, and he’s proud of that.”

She added: “It was amazing to see a boy his age so determined to get his miles in each day. We’re incredibly proud of both our boys.”

Leo’s fundraising campaign continues until the end of June. Donations can be made online by searching “RNLI – Leo Candler”.

Brave little fundraiser: Leo aboard St Davids Tamar Class Lifeboat (Pic: Herald)

Community

Travel advice issued for Pembrokeshire’s Long Course Weekend

Published

41 minutes ago

June 24, 2025

Luke Sinclair

Motorists and bus passengers across south Pembrokeshire are being advised to prepare for a series of road closures and transport changes as the Long Course Weekend returns to the region this weekend.

The popular endurance event, which draws thousands of athletes and spectators each year, will bring temporary disruptions to routes in and around Tenby on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June as competitors take part in the Wales Sportive and Wales Marathon.

Saturday 28th June – Wales Sportive

On Saturday, the Wales Sportive cycle event will see several roads in the wider Tenby area closed or converted to one-way systems to ensure participant safety. While the A40, A477, and the A478 Narberth to Kilgetty routes remain unaffected and fully open, other roads will be subject to closures and diversions throughout the day.

Sunday 29th June – Wales Marathon

Further closures will be in place on Sunday during the Wales Marathon, affecting routes between Tenby and Pembroke. These will operate on a rolling basis between 9.30am and 4pm, with the aim of minimising disruption while maintaining safety for runners and spectators.

Up-to-date information on all road closures can be found on the event’s official website:
https://community.lcwwales.com/road-closures

Special arrangements for carers and emergency access

Care professionals requiring access to clients in affected areas can obtain vehicle passes through their care organisation managers. More details are available at:
https://community.lcwwales.com/road…/carers-information

In case of emergencies during the event, organisers can be contacted directly on 01437 765777.

Public transport disruptions

Local bus services will also be impacted by the weekend’s events, with changes in place on both Saturday and Sunday.

Friday 27th June

All services will operate as normal.

Saturday 28th June

351 (Tenby-Kilgetty-Amroth-Pendine) – No service
381 (Haverfordwest-Narberth-Kilgetty-Saundersfoot-Tenby) – No service
Tenby Coaster (Tenby-Saundersfoot) – No service
349 (Haverfordwest-Neyland-Pembroke Dock-Pembroke-Tenby) – Will not serve Pembroke to Tenby until after 1pm
356 (Milford Haven-Neyland-Pembroke Dock-Pembroke-Monkton) – No service to Pembroke Commons or Monkton until after 1pm
387/388 (Coastal Cruiser) – Service will not operate until after 11am

Sunday 29th June

387/388 (Coastal Cruiser) – No service
Tenby Coaster (Tenby-Saundersfoot) – Will operate via the A4218 (Broadwell Hayes) instead of Marsh Road and Heywood Lane

Residents and visitors are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance and allow extra time for travel where necessary.

Business

Mind the gap: Welsh employers and Gen Z out of sync on skills

Published

4 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

New report reveals Wales has the UK’s highest skills shortage – but young people are ready to step up

A MAJOR new report by The Open University has revealed a growing disconnect between Welsh employers and the next generation of workers, potentially undermining efforts to tackle the country’s persistent skills shortages.

The Business Barometer 2025: Skills for today and tomorrow surveyed over 2,000 business leaders and 1,000 Gen Z adults across the UK — including 139 employers and 80 young people under 25 in Wales. It found that 58% of Welsh organisations are currently experiencing a skills shortage — the highest of all UK nations.

Yet despite this, only 31% of those employers have specific initiatives in place to recruit, retain or train under-25s.

Gen Z ready to respond — but need support

Encouragingly, over half (54%) of young people surveyed in Wales are aware of the national skills gap and are actively considering it in their career planning:

73% are choosing careers based on areas of high demand
66% say they would stay longer with employers who offer training and development

However, the report suggests that this willingness is not being met with sufficient guidance or opportunity — especially in fast-growing areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital, and green skills.

While 58% of Welsh Gen Z respondents say they are interested or already working in AI, one in five Welsh employers report lacking confidence in their ability to deliver AI strategies due to talent shortages.

Call for action on training and inclusion

Dr Scott McKenzie, Assistant Director for Learning, Skills and Innovation at The Open University in Wales, said: “The data is clear: there’s a mismatch between employer intentions and practical action. But there’s also a real opportunity. Welsh organisations can bridge the gap by developing structured skills plans, investing in flexible learning, and opening pathways to a more diverse talent pool. Those who act now will be the ones best placed to thrive in the future.”

Baroness Martha Lane Fox CBE, Chancellor of The Open University, added: “Young people are motivated, digitally savvy and want to contribute. Employers must meet that energy with training pathways and real opportunities. Waiting for skills to arrive is no longer enough — smart organisations will build them proactively.”

Diversity still lagging behind

While 80% of Welsh employers say equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) is important to their organisation, 25% admit to having no initiatives in place for underrepresented groups such as returners, career changers, or people with disabilities and neurodivergences.

This is seen as a missed opportunity to reduce economic inactivity and broaden the talent pipeline — especially in sectors where workforce shortages are most acute.

Skills shortage set to worsen

The Business Barometer, now in its ninth year, shows the issue is far from easing. In Wales:

38% of employers expect the skills gap to worsen over the next five years
60% say shortages are increasing workloads on existing staff
43% report reduced productivity
37% have scaled back growth plans
20% fear they won’t be able to meet their AI ambitions by 2030

Yet, despite these pressures, only 36% of Welsh employers have a formal skills plan in place. And while training is proven to aid staff retention, 30% say they hesitate to invest in staff development for fear employees will leave.

Full report and recommendations available at: https://business.open.ac.uk/business-barometer