Fifteen Flintshire roads exempt from new 20mph speed limit

Fifteen roads in Flintshire have been identified as possible exceptions for the new default 20mph Wales-wide speed limit for residential areas which comes into force in September this year.

Flintshire County Council says work is underway preparing local roads for the new 20mph speed limit.

Guided by criteria set by the Welsh Government, Flintshire Council is currently assessing existing restricted roads within the county.

While most of these roads will transition to a 20mph limit, some may remain at 30mph after the change.

Not all existing 30mph roads will meet this test, although it is likely that sections along some roads will.

To designate an ‘exception’ to a restricted road, the Council must present a clear and reasoned case that maintaining a higher speed limit would ensure safety.

The 15 sections of road across Flintshire which have currently been flagged as possible exceptions can be viewed online at https://datamap.gov.wales/maps/roads-affected-by-changes-to-the-speed-limit-on-re/.

Notable examples include Chester Road East in Pentre to the Asda roundabout and Liverpool Road from Ewloe to Buckley.

Other roads include St David’s Park in Ewloe, a section of the B5129 from Kelsterton Lane to the A540 onslip towards Flint.

The proposed exceptions will be formally advertised as part of a statutory consultation process in early August, allowing residents to comment.

Information about these exceptions will be published on Flintshire County Council’s website.

Post-September, local communities can submit further suggestions for consideration via the Council’s website. The procedure for this will be widely communicated nearer the time.

In preparation for the upcoming changes, road markings are being removed and new signage arrangements are underway.

A Flintshire Council spokesperson said, “Residents may spot workmen performing these tasks over the coming weeks.”

“This also includes the removal of 20mph markings introduced in Buckley and surrounding areas under the Phase 1 Settlement Scheme.”

The Phase One Settlement Programme introduced 20mph speed restrictions in Buckley, Mynydd Isa, New Brighton, Drury, Burntwood, Bryn y Baal and Alltami on 28 February 2022.

The move sparked uproar in the town, and a petition calling for the speed limits to be reversed garnered 51,000 signatures and was sent to the Welsh Parliament.

The council said the removal of these road markings, either 20mph or 30mph, does not mean that speed restrictions have been removed in and around Buckley. It simply indicates that the County is preparing for the Wales-wide introduction of 20mph in September.

Under the new legislation, a continuous stretch of street lighting columns will indicate a 20mph area, unless signed otherwise.

“Where necessary, the Council has been extending the length of street lighting columns to cover the full stretch of restricted roads,” a spokesperson added.

More information, including Frequently Asked Questions, about the Council’s role in preparing local roads for the Welsh Government’s new legislation on 17 September can be found at www.flintshire.gov.uk/20mph.

Residents unable to access the online information can visit one of the Council’s Connect Centres between 9am and 4.30pm on the days listed below:

Buckley – Tuesday or Thursday Connah’s Quay, Flint or Holywell – Monday to Friday Mold – Monday, Wednesday or Friday