Over 8,000 Drivers Exceeded 20mph Limit on a Single Road

Data indicates that one-fourth of all 20mph speeding violations in Wales occurred on only two specific routes. Over a period of 10 months, enforcement efforts on the A4102 Swansea Road in Gellideg, Merthyr Tydfil—a route connecting the A465 Heads of the Valleys road and the A470—resulted in over 8,000 drivers being apprehended. Additionally, freedom of information requests submitted by BBC Wales reveal that approximately 7,200 drivers were found to be exceeding the 20mph speed restriction on the A5104 at Pontybodkin, situated near Penyffordd in Flintshire. GoSafe, the Welsh organization dedicated to road safety, stated that reduced speeds lead to fewer individuals being “hurt or killed on our roads and it’s encouraging to see people driving slower in our communities”. The standard speed limit in Welsh urban areas was reduced from 30mph (48km/h) to 20mph (32km/h) in September of the previous year. These statistics emerge concurrently with recent data from Transport for Wales, which indicates that over 50% of drivers observed throughout Wales continued to travel at speeds below 24mph (39km/h). Inquiries were made to GoSafe—a collaborative body comprising the Welsh government, local councils, and police—as well as to police forces regarding the number of drivers detected at 20mph monitoring sites. The accompanying map illustrates findings from 120 enforcement locations between January and October, detailing nearly 63,500 infractions. Specifically, in Gellideg, 1,000 drivers were apprehended during October alone. The segment of Swansea Road mentioned is one of 20 routes currently under review by Merthyr Tydfil council, with the potential for its speed limit to revert to 30mph following a consultation process. Additional areas with high numbers of violations include Gors Avenue in Townhill, Swansea, accounting for 3,700 offences, and five other road sections in Flintshire that are among the top 10. Dyfed-Powys Police documented 1,750 violations, with the highest concentration, 310, occurring on the A482 in Llanwrda village, Carmarthenshire, positioning it as the 30th road with the most infractions. Gwent Police registered a cumulative 984 violations across 23 distinct sites, with the highest count of 130 at Pant Road, Newbridge. Reporting from the scene, BBC Wales journalist Gareth Bryer noted initial confusion upon reaching the coordinates for the speed camera responsible for detecting 8,000 drivers this year, as the device was absent. It was only after inquiring with a dog walker that it was discovered the camera had inexplicably fallen approximately three weeks prior, with a sports shop bag and tape obscuring the pole’s end. While the exact cause remains unknown, individuals interviewed widely suspect sabotage. The camera and its attached pole had reportedly lain beside the road for several weeks before also vanishing. A widespread surprise exists regarding the high number of drivers apprehended by the camera. However, considering the infrequent placement of 20mph signs and the road’s frequent use as a primary alternative route for the Heads of the Valleys dual carriageway, which runs parallel, the number of detections might not be unexpected. Alan Dyment, a local resident, has been cited twice by the A4102 camera and has voiced his dissatisfaction. He held the belief that the camera was initially erected with a 30mph limit following two fatal collisions some years ago. Dyment commented, “I’m a bit annoyed – it’s a straight road, if it was bendy maybe, but not for one like this. 20mph is very slow.” He added, “A neighbour of mine has been had three times. If you’re over 24mph, you can get caught, but you can easily get to that. I’m looking at the speedometer and a lot of time, I have to put my foot on the brake.” Cynthia Gaull, another resident, stated, “I can’t see the reason for 20mph – 30mph was perfectly reasonable. There are no schools here, there are not even many houses. I drive slow anyway – I think 30 was OK.” According to contractor Paul Chesterman, the road’s traffic volume had significantly increased due to a new by-pass and motorists attempting to bypass ongoing roadworks. He recounted, “I got caught – I was doing 26mph, I forgot the camera was there.” Conor Milton, employed in the vicinity, remarked, “I can understand why people are getting fed up, it’s costing them a lot of money.” Concurrently, in Flintshire, a senior council member defended the stationary camera on the A5104 at Pontybodkin, which had detected 7,197 drivers over a 10-month period. Councillor Glyn Banks, the cabinet member for streetscene and transportation, explained, “When you’re talking about that one stretch, yes it sounds like a lot of motorists being caught but it’s within 100m of a crossing to a children’s park and a bowling club, mainly used by elderly people. Simply, people have to stick to the speed limits in place whether they like it or not, they’re there for a reason and that’s proven by a 20% drop in heartache for families across Wales,” as reported on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast. Enforcement measures commenced in January, four months subsequent to the policy alteration taking effect. Recently released statistics for 20mph violations in November indicate an additional 12,000 drivers were found to be surpassing the limit. This brings the cumulative total to 77,150 since the beginning of the year. Nevertheless, adherence remains high, with approximately 96% of drivers monitored by GoSafe observing the speed limit. Only 82 instances have resulted in legal prosecutions. The mean speed for an infraction recorded in November was slightly above 28mph, with the highest speed detected for a driver being 70mph. Assessment of motorist compliance with the 20mph limit is conducted by Transport for Wales through monitoring at 10 sites, spanning from Llanrug in Gwynedd to Newport. During the previous summer, nearly seven million vehicles were documented across 43 monitoring points. This data revealed that almost 53% were traveling at or below 24mph. This figure contrasts with nearly 59% observed last winter. Prior to the speed limit modification, approximately 21% of vehicles traveled at or below 24mph. The average speed at these observation points was 25.1mph, which is marginally higher than the 24.4mph recorded last winter. The analysis also showed that 16% of monitored vehicles were traveling at or above 30mph, representing an increase from 14% of vehicles recorded last winter. Initial data indicates a decrease in severe road casualties on both 20mph and 30mph roads since the implementation of the new policy, though it is premature to determine if this constitutes a sustained trend. The 20mph policy was enacted in September 2023, resulting in just over one-third of all Welsh roads—predominantly those previously designated as 30mph roads—now having the reduced default limit. This is despite the policy’s proponents not expecting drivers to strictly adhere to speeds below 20mph. The overarching objective is to enhance road safety and achieve a reduction in speeds within urban environments. An enforcement threshold is in effect, with the average speed at which a motorist might anticipate facing action being approximately 28mph. However, the policy has generated opposition among some drivers, leading to petitions advocating for its reversal. The Welsh government has pledged to re-evaluate certain roads, particularly those outside residential zones. This review process is currently underway, with local councils soliciting proposals for roads where speed limits might be reinstated to previous levels.