20’s Plenty in Wales

Phase 1 - Neath Port Talbot

Cilfrew Village was selected as one of eight areas in Wales to introduce a 20mph speed limit as part of a Welsh Government trial to reduce the national speed limit from 30mph to 20mph in residential areas. Legislation to introduce 20mph as a default has now passed through the Senedd for introduction in September 2023.

The 20mph area encompasses all of Cilfrew Village plus a section of the main road (A4230) around Llangatwg Community School starting at the A465 roundabout and finishing just before the junction of Underwood Road.

Nationwide rollout in September 2023

The 20mph speed limit will be introduced across Wales in autumn 2023. From the date of implementation, where there is street lighting on a road, with no speed limit signs, drivers will be able to assume that the speed limit is 20mph. Because 20mph is the new ‘default’ speed limit, 20mph signs will only remain at the boundaries to 20mph limits.

Parts of the road network that retain a 30mph speed limit will have new signs installed. Which roads will stay at 30mph has been determined using an ‘exceptions’ process, based on criteria such as lower density of housing, absence of schools and hospitals, and other local factors.

The Welsh Government is working closely with GoSafe and the Police to ensure that the new speed limits are respected and driver behaviour change is supported.

Why?

Evidence shows that lower speeds result in fewer collisions and a reduced severity of injuries.

In fact, pedestrians are five times more likely to be killed if hit by 30mph compared to 20mph.

As well as the safety benefits, 20mph zones improve air quality, reduce noise pollution and can result in healthier lifestyles by encouraging more walking and cycling in neighbourhoods which are safer and shared more equally between different road users.

What we're doing

Unlike other 20mph zones, we will not be introducing physical speed calming measures, we will be relying on driver re-education, via a new publicity campaign, focussing on the benefits rather than the outcomes of non-compliance.

Key stakeholders like Cilffriw Primary School are essential to the success of this project, they are at the heart of the community and children are key influencers of parents to make them change their behaviour. We are working closely with the school, which fully supports the project, to encourage more pupils to walk to school, reducing congestion during school start and end times.

Get involved

The more people we get driving at 20mph in Cilfrew, the more chance of encouraging a real change in driving behaviours in the community. You will act as a pace car, encouraging people to slow down, making your local community’s streets safer.

Please help us by posting your support for the project on social media. Don’t forget to tag us and use the hashtag #20sPlentyInCilfrew

Frequently Asked Questions

Welsh Government have put together a list of frequently asked questions about the introduction of 20mph as the speed limit in residential areas.

Further Information

You can find more information about the Welsh Government’s proposals on their website

Keep in touch

Please follow @NeathPortTalbotRoadSafety on Facebook, Twitter @NPTRoadSafety1 for news and updates.

If you would like to speak to a member of our Road Safety Team, please contact NPT Road Safety