20mph default speed limit 'putting tourists off visiting Wales'

The 20mph default speed limit in Wales is “putting people off visiting”, according to the Welsh Conservatives.

File pic

The largest opposition party in the Senedd (Welsh parliament) claims the “vast majority of the people of Wales stand against this policy”.

It comes after one holidaymaker wrote a letter to Cornwall Live saying the policy in built-up areas meant his sixth visit to the country would be his last.

The retired builder said the reduced limit was “horrendous” and that “stressful is an understatement”.

“I spent so much time checking my speedo I am sure I was a danger to pedestrians and errant drivers,” he said.

“My wife was glued to the satnav reminding me whenever I was approaching 20 and couldn’t appreciate the view.”

Some areas of Cornwall are also seeing a reduction in limits to 20mph as part of a rollout there.

A petition calling for the Welsh government policy, introduced in September, to be reversed has become the most-signed Senedd petition in its history.

Why has the default limit changed to 20mph?

How clean air targets could be met by charging drivers

Shadow tourism minister Tom Giffard called the policy “tone-deaf”.

“I can certainly sympathise with the difficulty of enjoying beautiful Welsh views while having to keep an eye on the speedometer,” he said.

He added the government was making “a colossal mistake” as its 20mph speed limits were “putting tourists off visiting Wales”.

But the Welsh government insists most people are “getting used to” the change in speed limit.

It has previously said the change will help build “safer communities” by reducing the number of collisions and make streets quieter by reducing noise pollution.

“Like many places across the UK, Cornwall included, the introduction of 20mph limits in residential and built up areas is designed to save lives,” a Welsh government spokesperson added.