Disclosure Log

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Question

I am writing to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I would be grateful if you could provide the following information regarding the implementation of the Welsh Government’s 20mph default speed limit policy in your local authority area: 1. Implementation Planning and Cost o What was the total cost incurred by your authority in implementing the 20mph speed limit policy (including signage, consultation, communications, enforcement preparation, etc.)? o Please provide a breakdown of expenditure categories if available. o Was any of this cost reimbursed by the Welsh Government or other bodies? If so, how much and for which elements? 2. Exemptions and Local Discretion o How many roads (or road segments) within your authority’s area were exempted from the 20mph default limit? o What criteria were used to determine these exemptions? o Please provide a list or map (if available) of roads that remained at 30mph following implementation. 3. Consultation and Engagement o What public or stakeholder consultation processes were undertaken by your authority as part of the implementation process? o How many responses were received, and what were the key themes or outcomes? 4. Monitoring and Evaluation o Has the authority conducted or commissioned any impact assessment, evaluation, or monitoring reports on the implementation or outcomes of the 20mph policy (e.g., changes in road safety, traffic flow, public perception, or enforcement)? o If so, please provide copies of any reports or summaries of findings. 5. Enforcement and Compliance o What is the current policy or arrangement for enforcing the 20mph speed limit in your area? o Have any specific challenges been encountered regarding signage, public compliance, or coordination with the police or GoSafe? Please provide the requested information in electronic format. If parts of this request are unclear or would result in a refusal due to cost limits, I would be happy to refine or narrow the request.

Answer

1. Implementation Planning and Cost o What was the total cost incurred by your authority in implementing the 20mph speed limit policy (including signage, consultation, communications, enforcement preparation, etc.)? 2022-2023 = £239,010 2023-2024 = £312,977 which includes - Publication cost of Notice of Intention - £4693.80 and Publication cost of Notice of making - £5164.20 2024-2025 = £160,000 o Was any of this cost reimbursed by the Welsh Government or other bodies? All costs were reimbursed. Clarification: I am grateful for the clarity offered on costs, exemptions, consultation, and enforcement. I would, however, be grateful if you could clarify or provide the following additional information to assist my research: 1. Implementation Planning and Cost o Are the cost figures provided inclusive of all categories—such as design, installation, legal work, officer time, and communication materials—or are they limited to direct implementation (e.g. signage)? All categories o Could you please confirm whether a full cost breakdown by expenditure category (e.g. signage, legal notices, communications, officer time, etc.) is available for any of the years listed? If so, I would appreciate a copy. see table attached 2. Exemptions and Local Discretion Thank you for confirming that 41 road segments were exempted. Could you please indicate the total number of relevant restricted road segments in your authority’s area to help contextualise the proportion exempted (e.g., 41 out of how many total)? The entire highway network is not segregated into segments. The 41 roads are sections of roads that were exempted. 3. Consultation and Engagement o You noted that there were no objections to the Traffic Regulation Orders. Could you confirm whether any other forms of consultation or engagement were undertaken locally outside the formal TRO notice process (e.g., stakeholder meetings, resident surveys, or online feedback platforms)? Contact Welsh Government in terms of what consultation was carried out regarding this legislation. There was no reason for MTCBC to consult as officers carried out the assessment based on set criteria within Welsh Government guidance. Elected Members were informed of the outcomes of the assessment prior to the Traffic Regulation Order process. o Was any internal consultation (e.g., with schools, emergency services, disability groups, or businesses) conducted during the planning stages? Could I see copies of any resultant reports or other documentation? Emergency Services and bus companies were notified of the outcomes of the assessment in terms of which roads were exempt. There are no resultant reports. 4. Monitoring and Evaluation o Thank you for confirming that no assessments have been conducted to date. Could you indicate whether the authority intends to carry out any future evaluation of the policy’s impact (e.g., on road safety or public satisfaction), and if so, on what timescale? Speed surveys will be carried out at locations where concerns are raised of speeding issues. 5. Enforcement and Compliance o I appreciate the update regarding GoSafe’s enforcement role. Has the authority participated in any multi-agency meetings or coordination efforts with GoSafe or the police since the policy came into effect? Could I see copies of any resultant reports. Engagement and communication with GoSafe has remained the same and has not altered since the policy came into force. There are no resultant reports. o You noted signage vandalism—has this had any significant impact on enforcement or compliance in affected areas? Vandalised signs were replaced prior to GoSafe’s deadline to start enforcement therefore it should not have had any impact. 2. Exemptions and Local Discretion o How many roads (or road segments) within your authority’s area were exempted from the 20mph default limit? 41 road segments o What criteria were used to determine these exemptions? Welsh Government provided Guidance o Please provide a list or map (if available) of roads that remained at 30mph following implementation. – this information is available on DataMap Wales -see link below New map | DataMapWales 3. Consultation and Engagement o What public or stakeholder consultation processes were undertaken by your authority as part of the implementation process? – Public notice in accordance with the Traffic Regulation Order process o How many responses were received, and what were the key themes or outcomes? No objections to the Traffic Orders were received. 4. Monitoring and Evaluation o Has the authority conducted or commissioned any impact assessment, evaluation, or monitoring reports on the implementation or outcomes of the 20mph policy (e.g., changes in road safety, traffic flow, public perception, or enforcement)? No. o If so, please provide copies of any reports or summaries of findings. 5. Enforcement and Compliance o What is the current policy or arrangement for enforcing the 20mph speed limit in your area? This is undertaken by GoSafe. We cannot enforce speed. o Have any specific challenges been encountered regarding signage, public compliance, or coordination with the police or GoSafe? Some signage was initially vandalised but there is constant communication between GoSafe and the Local Authority should any issues arise.