A SCHEME which could see a reduction of the current 30mph speed limit to 20mph in Monmouth and Wyesham could be rolled out as early as next year if two proposed pilot projects in the county are successful.

Welsh Government plans to introduce a Wales-wide roll-out of lower speed limits in residential and built-up areas will see a default 20mph speed limit on all restricted roads.

Restricted roads are defined as those which are "provided with a system of street lighting furnished by means of lamps placed not more than 200 yards apart".

The 20mph Taskforce Group, formed in 2019 published a report last year (Oct 2020) which made 21 recommendations for the rollout of the 20mph national speed limit on such roads. All were accepted by the Welsh Government.

Two areas in Monmouthshire - Severnside and Abergavenny - will see the first pilot projects begin in February 2022 following a 28-day consultation for the Traffic Order which starts today, (December 22).

Provided there are no objections raised that cannot be resolved, the 20mph zones in these two areas will be implemented.

The plans for the introduction of pilot 20mph zones across Monmouthshire were raised at Monmouthshire County Council’s full council meeting on Thursday 16th December.

Councillor Jane Pratt, cabinet member for Infrastructure said: "We appreciate that many towns and villages across the county support the reduction of speed on our roads. The benefits of lowering the urban speed limit from 30mph to 20mph will contribute to a reduction in the frequency and severity of road collisions, more opportunities to walk and cycle in our communities, make our streets safer and help to safeguard the environment for future generations.

The other 20mph zones agreed for this financial year are in Devauden, Mathern, Monmouth (including Wyesham) Mynyddbach, Shirenewton and two parts of Chepstow - Mounton Road and the town centre. The 21-day consultation for the Traffic Order for these will commence in early February and, provided there are no objections raised that cannot be resolved, the 20mph zones will be implemented in March 2022. Monmouthshire County Council is also proposing to make the Raglan and Tintern trial-20mph zones permanent, a move widely supported."

A spokesman for the ’Wyesham 20 is Plenty’ group said the news was welcomed "and about time too.

"Wyesham’s population is largely made up of families with young children, and elderly folk. It will be wonderful to see Wyesham becoming so much safer for everyone, especially our most vulnerable residents". For more information about the Welsh Government 20mph project visit gov.wales/proposal-reduce-speed-limit-20mph-residential-streets