Janet:
What discussions has the Counsel General had with Cabinet colleagues about developing legislative proposals to deliver safe speed limits across Wales?
Counsel General:
The First Minister announced in May that we support 20 mph as the default speed limit in built-up areas and we have established, as a Government, a task and finish group to provide recommendations on how to implement this, including potential changes to legislation.
Janet:
Thank you. Well, I, for one, on behalf of my constituents in Aberconwy, was really pleased to hear the First Minister make that commitment because it's a big issue in my mailbox currently.
Welsh Government guidance 'Setting Local Speed Limits in Wales' has a major influence, obviously, on speed-limit decisions when considering the provision of a speed limit or modifications in a rural area. Highway authorities are supposed to consider 12 distinct factors. I myself have published a report that highlights that almost all considerations seem to be focused primarily on the numbers and types of collisions when they happen. Now, due to a lack of reported collisions, countless winding rural roads are currently stuck with dangerous speed limits. The First Minister has, in correspondence to me, advised that some of my work will be considered as part of a review of guidance, but I am concerned that progress will only be achieved by legalisation of the factors to be considered on setting local speed limits in Wales. Would you be willing to liaise with your Cabinet colleagues, and indeed the First Minister, to assess the potential implication of legalisation of the guidance?
Counsel General:
Well, I thank the Member for that supplementary question. I'm always happy to co-operate with my colleagues in Government in relation to these matters and, indeed, every other relevant matter.
The taskforce has now met, I think, on two occasions to investigate the evidence that I know she will wish us, as a Government, to take into account, and has begun to identify the range of matters that she alludes to in her questions. The recommendations of that group, which will cover this ground, will be presented to the Minister and the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport before summer recess next year, and I'm sure those considerations will be uppermost in their minds.
