Work is continuing on a review of the 20mph speed limit in some areas of Pembrokeshire where public feedback has been received - although some acts of criminal damage to road signs across communities where 20mph signs have been vandalised, sprayed or removed has cost in the region of £4,000 in material costs alone the Local Authority has revealed.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said residents’ representations and requests will be used to review certain 20mph limits in the next financial year, on a settlement by settlement basis.

Cllr Sinnett added: “Where a speed limit review has been put forward, we will consult with residents to receive direct feedback before going to wider consultation for amendments to the limits and re-introducing a 30mph limit.”

Cllr Sinnett also welcomed statistics showing an encouraging reduction in the number of collisions and serious injuries and deaths since the introduction of the 20mph default limit.

The latest police recorded collision figures, covering July – September 2024, show collisions on Welsh roads at their lowest level for that quarter since records began, including during the pandemic.

Figures published on January 30 this year also provide the first year of statistics since the default 20mph speed limit was introduced.

They show that across Wales there were around 100 fewer people killed or seriously injured on roads with 20mph and 30mph road speed limits in the 12-month period after the introduction of the 20mph default speed limit, compared to the same period a year before.

The number of casualties on roads with 20 and 30mph road speed limits (combined) in 2024 between July and September was the lowest Q3 figures in Wales since records began.

During the 12-month period up to September 2024 (after the introduction of the 20mph default speed limit), the number of casualties on 20 and 30mph roads is 28% lower than the same period a year before.

Pembrokeshire has seen a similar percentage reduction in casualty numbers during this time, from 125 casualties pre implementation to 89 casualties post implementation.

Cllr Sinnett, added: “The introduction of the 20mph scheme has received mixed views and in some cases strong negative opinion. However, the reduction in casualties since the 20mph was introduced is welcomed, and shows that the number of collisions on our roads are at their lowest level for this quarter.

“Despite the encouraging news of reduced casualties, sadly there remains some acts of criminal damage to road signs in Pembrokeshire where 20mph signs are being sprayed or removed.

“To date sign replacement due to vandalism has cost in the region of £4,000 in material costs alone and despite this vandalism the 20mph is still fully enforceable.”

Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Ken Skates said recently on the data published: “We continue to build on the consensus that where 20mph is the right speed it works well. We have listened to people on the policy and we have empowered local authorities to make changes where it is safe to do so.”