The default speed limit in Wales is to be lowered from 30mph to 20mph from next year, marking a first for a UK nation.

The new slower speed limits are currently being trialled in eight communities across Wales and will be rolled out nationally in September 2023

Legislation to lower the default limit on residential roads and busy pedestrian streets was approved by the Welsh Senedd earlier this week.

The new slower speed limits are currently being trialled in eight communities across Wales and will be rolled out nationally in September 2023.

The Welsh government said the move would help to save lives, develop safer communities, improve the quality of life and encourage more people to make more sustainable and active travel choices.

However, the new legislation will not apply a blanket speed limit on all roads but will simply lower the default limit to 20mph.

This leaves local authorities able to consult with the local community to decide which roads should remain at 30mph and which should be reduced.

It’s expected that around 35% of Welsh roads will switch to the lower 20mph, compared to 2.5% at present. This will in turn help to create safer roads and communities across Wales.

Speaking after the vote, Minister for Climate Change Julie James said: “I am delighted that the move to 20mph has received cross-party support across the Welsh Parliament today.

“The evidence is clear, decreasing speeds not only reduces accidents and saves lives, but helps improve people’s quality of life – making our streets and communities a safer and more welcoming place for cyclists and pedestrians, whilst helping reduce our environmental impact.

“We know this move won’t be easy – it’s as much about changing hearts and minds as it is about enforcement – but over time 20mph will become the norm, just like the restrictions we’ve introduced before on carrier bag charges and organ donation.”

But the Welsh Conservatives have spoken out about the move.

Shadow Minister for Transport Natasha Ashgar said: “The Welsh Conservatives are not against introducing 20mph speed limits outside schools, playgrounds, places of worship and high streets, but a blanket roll-out is quite frankly ludicrous.”

She continued: “Speed limits like this should be decided by councils in their local areas, not top-down by Labour ministers. Let’s give local people the power over their communities, the very people who know their roads best.”

Ashgar added: “It’s extraordinary that that the Labour Government has admitted this will have a negative cost of £4.54bn to the Welsh economy – is this appropriate at a time when the Labour Government should be focused on tackling the big issues at hand such as the cost-of-living? I don’t think it is, and I am sure residents across the country will be thinking the exact same.”

Public Health Wales however welcomed the decision, saying that it could have health benefits.

Dr Sarah J Jones, consultant in environmental public health at Public Health Wales, said: “Travelling at 20mph has been shown to reduce the risk of crashing and the severity of crashes that do still happen. It also produces less noise pollution and reduces fuel consumption.

“It encourages people to walk and cycle, helping to fight obesity and improve mental well-being. All of these are likely to contribute to improvements in health and reduction in the demands for health services, which will help the NHS recovery from Covid.”