The Welsh government has published new guidance on reverting urban speed limits back to 20mph, less than a year after the controversial blanket limit came in.

The guidance prioritises 20mph limits where pedestrians and cyclists frequently use the roads alongside vehicles

The guidance provides a framework to support highways authorities with decisions on where to reverse the speed limit, after Transport Secretary Ken Skates agreed earlier this year that the default 20mph needed to be “corrected”.

The Government said the new guidance would help highways authorities to “make the right decisions for local roads – particularly when those calls are finely balanced”. It prioritises 20mph limits where pedestrians and cyclists frequently use the roads alongside vehicles unless strong evidence supports that higher speeds are safe.

The new framework can be used from September and the numbers of roads reviewed is expected to vary considerably depending on the volume of feedback received by each highway authority.

Highways authorities also have access to an additional £5m funding for this financial year to change speed limits.

Ken Skates said: “I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken the time to provide us with their feedback. It’s been great to see so many people getting involved.

“The recent collisions data for Wales and the reduction in casualties was encouraging. We have still got a way to go but it shows things are moving in the right direction.

“By working together and supporting highways authorities to make changes where it is right to do so, I believe we can continue to make 20mph a real success story for Wales.”

Cllr Andrew Morgan, Welsh Local Government Association leader, said: “These are not easy decisions for councils and safety remains our priority.

“There will need to be a high level of confidence that, if and where the limit is raised back to 30mph, it will not result in the very risks the policy was designed to mitigate.”