Following a meeting of the elected County Councillors for Severnside, changes are proposed to the speed limit on parts of the B4245.
The Welsh Government passed legislation on 12th July 2022 that will see the speed limit in built-up areas reduced from 30mph to 20mph throughout Wales from next year. The 20mph proposals form a key part of the Welsh Government’s policy for Road Safety and Active Travel by aiming to create a culture for slower speeds, reducing the number and severity of road casualties, supporting alternative travel modes such as walking and cycling by making the roads less intimidating to non-motorised vehicle users and benefitting physical and mental wellbeing.
In the lead-up to this legislative change, the Welsh Government funded eight pilot 20mph zones around Wales to trial the first phase of implementation of the change, one of which is in Severnside. Introduction of the 20mph limit was completed on 18th May 2022. Although there has been clear support for the 20mph on residential side streets, concerns have been received regarding the speed limit on the B4245. Officers and County Councillors met to review the B4245 speed limit against the Welsh Government’s ‘place criteria’ (which sets out when A or B roads could remain at 30mph) and against the casualty and available speed data.
What changes are proposed along the B4245?
- Magor and Undy – to remain 20mph;
- B4245 between Undy and Rogiet – it is proposed that the rural 60mph section will become 40mph;
- Rogiet – to remain 20mph;
- Road between Roget and Caldicot – to remain 40mph;
- Caldicot – to remain 20mph from Longfellow Road to Woodstock Way then revert to 30mph from Woodstock Way to the Mitel roundabout. Within this 30mph section will be a part-time 20mph area operating during school start and finish times;
- Mitel roundabout through Castlegate Business Park to the entrance to Portskewett– it is proposed to revert to 30mph until just before the bridge over the old railway line.
The proposed changes seek to address some of the community concerns raised while balancing this with the benefits of reducing speed limits. Decreasing speeds reduces the number and severity of collisions and improves quality of life, reducing our environmental impact and having a positive outcome for physical and mental wellbeing.
The proposed changes will be subject to a statutory consultation process for 28 days which will take place during August and, subject to the responses, will then be reported to the Cabinet Member for approval in the Autumn. For any more information, please visit: Reducing Speed Limits – Monmouthshire