Politics

Senedd rejects calls to reverse 20mph policy

Published

2 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.

Education

Pembrokeshire free school transport call to be heard at County Hall

Published

4 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to allow school pupils from Johnston and Tiers Cross access to free school transport to the nearby Haverfordwest high school is to be heard by councillors next week.

Due to a change in catchment areas the pupils are no longer able to access free transport to Haverfordwest, instead coming under the Milford Haven catchment area.

A petition calling for the reinstatement of the former catchment area to access free transport for pupils to Haverfordwest was recently started in the county.

The e-petition, which ran from September 18-November 1 on the council’s own website, attracted 351 signatures, meeting the threshold for a debate at the relevant Pembrokeshire County Council overview and scrutiny committee, in this case the Schools And Learning Overview And Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 28.

The petition, started by Kirsty Coaker, reads: “We call on Pembrokeshire County Council to change Johnston and Tiers Cross School Catchment back to Haverfordwest.

“Children of Johnston and Tiers Cross are now ineligible for free school transport to Haverfordwest High due to the areas no longer being in ‘catchment’.

“Both Johnston and Tiers Cross are Haverfordwest postal codes and are classed as Haverfordwest, yet the school catchment is Milford Haven.

“Please help our children access suitable transport to and from secondary school.”

The e-petition will now be considered at the November 28 meeting.

Climate

Pembrokeshire group plans for larger community wind turbine

Published

5 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A NORTH Pembrokeshire group which has raised more than £76,000 from its community wind turbine for local projects is hoping to expand with a bigger turbine.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Abergwaun Community Turbine Ltd, through agent Machynlleth-based Dulas Ltd is hoping to get permission for a larger turbine to replace the existing Abergwaun Community Turbine.

The proposed turbine, in a pasture field at Trebover Farm, to the south of Fishguard, would be 67m tall, the existing 2015 one being 45 metres.

In supporting statements, parent company Transition Bro Gwaun said: “The Community Climate Fund (CCF) is the mechanism by which Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) is fulfilling our ambition of funding projects in Fishguard, Goodwick and across North Pembrokeshire, using income from the community wind turbine.

“The core themes for grants are climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancement of biodiversity and improvements to community resilience through promotion of community engagement and resource sharing.”

In 2015, TBG raised its 50 per cent share of capital funding for the project by means of loans from 28 local individuals and four community groups, contributing a total of £286,500, the other 50 per cent contributed by landowners Parc-y-Morfa Farms Ltd.

The statement added: “Profit generated by sale of electricity from the turbine is split 50:50 between TBG and Parcy-Morfa Farms Ltd through the jointly owned trading arm, Abergwaun Community Turbine. By the end of 2022, all loans had been repaid, allowing the launch of TBG’s Community Climate Fund. This year we have awarded our third round of grants bringing the total amount granted to £76,036.”

In 2022, £15,274 was awarded to seven projects, including Fishguard Sports AFC to install solar panels on their clubhouse as part of their Tregroes Park development, Ysgol Bro Gwaun for their Increasing Biodiversity and Bees project, and Nevern Valley Veg / Llysiau Cwm Nyfer to install a solar powered vegetable irrigation scheme.

In 2023, £39,85 was made available for seven projects, including Sea Trust Wales to part fund the installation of solar panels on the Ocean Lab roof and to produce a display on solar technology, Letterston Memorial Hall to part fund the installation of an air source heat pump heating system, and Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club to install solar panels on their clubhouse.

2024 awards of £20,917 were made to six projects, including Theatr Gwaun to insulate their loft to reduce heating loss, Parc Cerrig Growers for developing a rainwater harvesting system with a pond to irrigate their allotments, Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture for an electric cargo bike for delivering organic vegetables in the Fishguard and St Davids areas, and Nevern Valley Veg to develop wildlife ponds and rainwater harvesting for food production.

The supporting documentation concludes: “The repowering of the existing turbine at Trebover would require a limited increase in turbine size which would result in a very limited change in landscape and visual effects in comparison to the existing Trebover turbine.”

The application will be considered by planners at a later date.

Business

Call to end ‘fad’ of ‘school dogs’ in Pembrokeshire

Published

10 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to end the ‘fad’ of permanent ‘school dogs’ in Pembrokeshire for their benefit and the befit of the schools, instead using visiting ‘therapy dogs’ is to be heard next week.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Schools And Learning Overview And Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 28 will consider a public submission by Robert Thomas – who works with therapy dogs – on the subject of school dogs.

The submission reads: “My definition of a school dog is one that spends long periods in the school and is managed and owned by school employees not outside assessed and insured visiting therapy dogs who stay for an hour with a competent handler.

“The welfare of many dogs in schools in Pembrokeshire has been compromised over the last few years and we are concerned that the rise in the popularity of school-owned or teacher-owned dogs is an animal welfare issue.

“I can think of several school dogs in Pembrokeshire where it has gone wrong for the animal.”

He cites examples of ‘school dogs’ the county, where he says they have had to be removed, with the animals being unsettled, barking and even nipping on occasions, showing “a lack of understanding of animal welfare”.

His submission adds: “We have done some work with the Animal Welfare team at the Welsh Government around licensing this field, a consultation was completed in March 2023, currently awaiting the outcome.

“It has become a fad across the country and many dogs spend all day in schools supported by staff members who have another job to do. It feels like PCC does not have a policy overarching animal welfare policy in schools to protect dogs from being seen as staff members and there purely for human benefit, not the dogs.

“Dogs need to rest and sleep during the day and not in school. The visiting therapy dog model works best as the impact is greatest and the welfare of the dog is managed externally. If the dog is there all the time that can diminish the impact, and the novelty can wear off for the pupils.

“In my experience schools should concentrate on teaching and leave the therapy dog introduction to those that have the expertise in animal welfare.”

The submission will be considered by committee members at the November 28 meeting.