Politics

Senedd rejects calls to reverse 20mph policy

Published

3 months ago

September 26, 2024

THE SENEDD shot down calls to scrap the 20mph speed limit policy.

Senedd members voted 37-14 against the Conservative motion which urged the Welsh Government to repeal the “disastrous” default 20mph policy.

Natasha Asghar, who was told off moments earlier for describing 20mph as a “blanket” policy, criticised ministers for trying to “downplay” public sentiment.

The Conservatives’ shadow transport secretary said a recent YouGov poll found that seven out of ten people still oppose the default 20mph policy.

She welcomed a “more sensible, pragmatic” approach from Ken Skates, who took over as transport secretary in March, but cautioned that much change has yet to come to fruition.

She reiterated that nearly 470,000 people signed a record-breaking petition against the policy which has been in place for more than a year.

Ms Asghar, who represents South Wales East, said implementation of 20mph has cost more than £33m and claimed it will result in a £9bn hit to the Welsh economy.

She said: “I make no apology for promoting common-sense politics, 20mph where it’s needed – around schools, hospitals, places of worship and high streets.

“It is regrettable that it has taken a public outcry on such a large scale for the guidance to be even looked at or changed.”

She told the Senedd: “Give the people what they want, allow their voices to be at the forefront of this policy that affects their day-to-day lives and please scrap this.”

Peredur Owen Griffiths, who also represents South Wales East, criticised “remarkable revision” in the Senedd, claiming there was initially cross-party support for 20mph.

“Oh no, there wasn’t,” said Janet Finch-Saunders, the Tory MS for Aberconwy.

Elin Jones, the Senedd’s speaker or Llywydd, intervened, saying: “Come on … [we] can do better than a pantomime please.”

Plaid Cymru shadow transport secretary pointed out that 20mph has been introduced by Conservative councils in England.

He told the debating chamber or Siambr there has been a significant fall in road casualties, according to statistics for January to March.

But he criticised the Welsh Government’s implementation, saying it fueled a divisive debate and eroded trust in the country’s relatively new democracy.

Lee Waters, the former deputy minister who introduced 20mph, said the policy is in achieving its aim, with data showing average speeds are down.

The Labour MS for Llanelli said: “Casualties are down by 32%, which is the single most effective road safety intervention that has been made. And lives have been saved: six fewer deaths in the first six months compared to the year before.

“Now, the Conservatives say that the policy has been disastrous. I think that these are results that we can be proud of. Has our approach been perfect? No, it has not.”

Mr Waters argued there is little practical difference between the policy and the Tories’ position, saying: “The difference is purely about politics. It’s purely about opportunism.”

He said Tory proposals would cost the public purse more: “Far from a bonfire of regulations, their common-sense approach is a confetti cannon of red tape splurged across Wales.

“The real difference between us is that we are saving lives before politics.”

Newport East MS John Griffiths maintained that the default 20mph policy is the right one as he welcomed the Welsh Government’s review.

The Labour backbencher pointed out that an insurance company, esure, is reducing policy premiums by £50 for customers in extensive 20mph areas.

He said: “It’s estimated that if 20mph was rolled out right across the UK in the way that it has been in Wales, that would result in some £1.4 billion-worth of savings for motorists.”

Mark Isherwood, the Tory MS for North Wales, said: “To say that the indiscriminate 20mph speed limit has been unpopular would be an understatement.”

His colleague Janet Finch-Saunders criticised a “distinct lack” of consultation.

“What was intended to improve road safety and reduce emissions has instead sparked widespread frustration, condemnation and opposition,” she warned.

Responding to debate on behalf of the Welsh Government, Ken Skates said police data unequivocally shows accidents reducing on 20 and 30mph roads.

The transport secretary rejected suggestions that ministers are not listening, saying 10,000 people have identified routes and helped shape the next steps.

Mr Skates said: “We know that there is more that we can do.

“We have listened and we have worked together. Now, over the next few months, we’ll begin to see changes ensuring that the right speeds are set on the right roads.”

Following the debate on September 25, Plaid Cymru’s amendment was also voted down, 41-10. The Welsh Government’s amended version of the motion was agreed, 27-24.

Community

Pembrokeshire town 4G phone mast plans withdrawn

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS for a replacement 20-metre-high 4G phone mast tower in north Pembrokeshire, which the local town council says would have “an unacceptable adverse impact” on the national park’s beauty have been withdrawn.

In an application before Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Cellnex, through agent Telent, sought permission to replace an existing 10m high mast with a new 20m 4G tower with three Vodafone antennae and nine mast head amplifiers, and associated works, on land at Dwr-y-Felin Farm, Fford Bedd Morris, Newport.

The application for a 4G mobile base station for the mobile network operator(s) (MNOs) Vodafone Ltd in conjunction with Cornerstone. The application site is owned / operated by Cellnex UK, a radio site infrastructure provider.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said: “The proposed antenna height of 20m is essential to provide new 4G coverage and replacement 2G and 3G service provision to the surrounding area. 4G radio signals are more sensitive to physical obstructions than older technologies.

“This is because the higher the frequency band the greater the reduction in signal strength, increasing the likelihood of dropped calls and reduced data rates for internet browsing,” adding: “Generally, the higher the signal frequency the more it will be impacted by clutter. It is for this reason that there is the height of 20m is required.”

It went on to say it “should be noted that a radio base station within this location has already been considered acceptable and has become an established feature within the area and the proposed upgrade albeit different in design to support the latest equipment will not be of substantial or detrimental harm to the national park, conservation area or heritage assets”.

Newport Town Council had objected to the application, saying: “The proposed development (if approved in its current form) will have an unacceptable adverse impact on the qualities and special landscape and seascape character of the National Park and also on the special qualities of natural beauty and tranquillity.”

The application has now been withdrawn.

Charity

Flats for veterans to be built at VC Gallery, Pembroke Dock

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to build flats for armed forces veterans on a former Pembrokeshire school yard/playing field next to veterans’ charity the VC Gallery has been approved by county planners.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council, veterans’ charity The VC Gallery sought permission for eight flats in two blocks of two-storey buildings, including wheelchair accessible flats, for Armed Forces veterans on land to the east of the former St Marys Catholic School site, Britannia Road, Pembroke Dock.

The former school, which closed in 2019, is currently used as the VC Gallery, itself an expansion of veterans’ charity the VC Gallery’s home in Haverfordwest, set up by Barry John MBE.

Documentation, through agent Pembroke Design Limited included a supporting statement by Barry John MBE, which it says “explains the issues that veterans face after leaving the services, the need for dedicated housing provision, the support that VC Gallery’s staff and volunteers provide and the gaps in current provision which the proposed development will help address”.

It added: “Although the development will provide and encourage independent living for its tenants, essential physical and mental support will be provided by the staff and volunteers in the VC Gallery as required, in accordance with individual veterans’ needs. Many will need a high level of support and the close proximity of the flats to the facilities and people on hand in the adjacent VC Gallery is therefore critical to the proposal’s purpose.”

Mr John’s statement said: “We want to create a unique offer to Armed Forces veterans in Pembrokeshire by offering up not just quality accommodation in a gated and safe environment but to also have a bespoke peer mentoring service.”

He added: “Working alongside our stakeholders The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the OVA (Office of Veterans Affairs) we have secured a grant to draw up plans and to look at how the secured land at the VC Gallery Pembroke Dock can be turned into a bespoke housing solution for Armed Forces Veterans.

“We have Service level agreements with the local authority for specifically supporting tenancy in veterans which will also extend to giving vital counselling services. Our work with the health board and provision for peer mentorship also gives us great grounding for effective help on a practical level for the veterans’ village but we will need a more designated package around the housing we provide to include both mental health and also maintenance (something we don’t have at present).”

His statement finished: “We think the need is great, we have the land, we have the skills for care and the ambition to help. It would be a project above all social housing enterprises, and we want to make a go of it.”

Politics

Call to stop councillors being employed by MPs and MSs

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to stop senior Pembrokeshire county councillors being employed by MPs or Senedd members is to come under greater scrutiny at a special council committee.

In a Notice of Motion submitted to the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Independent Group leader Cllr Huw Murphy said: “While it is acceptable for Cabinet members to hold other employments, no serving county councillor should hold a Cabinet position within Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) while simultaneously being employed by a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of the Senedd (MS).

“Cabinet members hold executive responsibilities, and such dual roles risk potential conflicts of interest, particularly if Cabinet decisions conflict with the policies of their employer, often a political party. This concern is heightened in a council where most members are Independents.”

Cllr Murphy’s notice of motion was heard at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council where it was agreed the matter be referred to a future constitutional review committee.

In the registration of interests for the eight members of Leader Cllr Jon Harvey’s Cabinet, only Cllr Joshua Beynon, deputy leader of the Labour Group and Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies, lists a politician as an employer, in his case newly-elected Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell.

Responding to the notice of motion, Cllr Beynon has previously said: “This motion, which appears to target my unique position as a Cabinet Member for Finance and part-time parliamentary employee, raises serious questions about its fairness, legality, and intent.

“At its core, this is a politically motivated motion that seeks to undermine the principles of fairness and freedom. It attempts to dictate lawful employment choices of councillors, disregarding the importance of balancing public service with individual rights. Such an approach risks creating a chilling effect, discouraging capable individuals from serving in public office in the future.”