50mph limit to cut emissions on major Welsh roads
The Welsh Government is introducing 50mph limits on major roads in Wales, as part of a package of measures to improve air quality across the country.
The 50mph limits are said to cut emissions by up to 18%
Announced by environment minister, Hannah Blythyn, the announcement follows the Welsh Government’s admission in the High Court that its inaction over air quality had been unlawful. It has been working with environmental campaigners, ClientEarth, on a timetabled plan to address the problem.
Speed limit changes are the first stage of that plan, set to be introduced within the next two months on roads with illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide and claimed to offer up to an 18% reduction in emissions. These will be brought in on two stretches of the M4 – J25-26 near Newport, and J41-42 near Port Talbot – as well as the A470 (Upper Boat to Pontypridd), A494 (Deeside) and A483 (Wrexham).
The government is also “encouraging” clean air zones, supported by £20m funding between now and 2021, which will restrict or prevent access for the most polluting vehicles where needed. A website will also be set up enabling visitors to check live, forecasted and historical air quality data across the country.
Alex Grant
Trained on Cardiff University’s renowned Postgraduate Diploma in Motor Magazine Journalism, Alex is an award-winning motoring journalist with ten years’ experience across B2B and consumer titles. A life-long car enthusiast with a fascination for new technology and future drivetrains, he joined Fleet World in April 2011, contributing across the magazine and website portfolio and editing the EV Fleet World Website.
