MOTORISTS in Abergavenny will have to get used to driving at 20mph under a proposal by Welsh government.

Abergavenny has been chosen as one of eight pilot areas where a 20mph speed limit will become a reality from this summer

And the proposal has been welcomed by Senedd member Nick Ramsay while Lee Waters, deputy minister for economy and transport, said the move will reduce accidents and save lives.

The pilot areas will have a phased start from this summer until the end of the year.

They come ahead of the planned national rollout for April 2023, and will help develop enforcement arrangements and overcome unforeseen issues before the full rollout.

The areas chosen are intended to be representative sample of different locations found across Wales, including villages, towns and cities.

They will focus on community engagement, meaning that as well as developing enforcement arrangements they will communicate the value of the new speed limit, making the case for reduced speed leading to more cohesive and safe communities.

The Welsh government is introducing the new speed limit to improve safety and help make Welsh streets a more welcoming place for cyclists and pedestrians.

Initial findings from a national public attitude survey have found support for the plans.

Around 92 per cent of those who wanted a change to the speed limit on their street suggested a speed limit of 20mph or lower, while 77 per cent said they wanted to see this speed limit applied throughout the area in which they live.

Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, said: “Making 20mph the default speed limit in residential areas is a bold step that will save lives.

“We have made progress on reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads over the 21 years of devolution, but despite our considerable efforts the highest proportion of all casualties - 50 per cent - occurred on 30mph roads during 2018.

‘‘This cannot be tolerated, so a reduction to 20mph on our residential and other busy pedestrian urban roads has to be the way forward.

“Decreasing speeds reduces accidents and saves lives, and alongside this the quality of life will improve, making room on our streets for safer active travel. This helps reduce our environmental impact and has a positive outcome for our physical and mental wellbeing.”

Sendedd member Nick Ramsay welcomed the pilot project. He said: “ I understand that a national roll-out is planned in April 2023 but before then there will be eight pilot areas where the 20 mph limit will be trialled on restricted roads currently having a 30mph limit and street lighting.

“ Two of the eight pilot areas are in Monmouthshire – Abergavenny and Severnside. The pilots will have a phased start from summer 2021 until the end of the year.

“We will have to see how the pilot schemes proceed before the nationwide new limit is imposed in 2023. Hopefully the trials will show that reducing speed limits reduces serious accidents and helps save lives.”

As well as Abergavenny, the pilot projects will also take place in Central North, Cardiff; Severnside, Monmouthshire;

Buckley, Flintshire; Cilfriw Village, Neath and Port Talbot; St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire; St Brides Major, Vale of Glamorgan

and Llanelli North, Carmarthenshire.