The New 20mph Speed Limit in Wales – How Is This Affecting Tradespeople?

Posted on 11th October 2023

The default speed limit in Wales has been reduced from 30mph to 20mph in built-up areas. Wales is the first country in the UK to put reduced speed limits in place.

According to the Welsh minister, the lower speed limit will reduce road-related deaths as well as reduce noise pollution from traffic. In addition, they are hoping this lower speed limit will encourage more people to walk or cycle instead of driving.

However, some people who use their vehicles for work, including many tradespeople, simply don’t have the option to walk or cycle to work. Below, the experts at MyJobQuote.co.uk go over how this new speed limit will affect tradespeople across Wales.

Which Roads In Wales Are Changing to 20mph?

There are around 22,000 miles of roads in Wales. Of those roads, around 7,700 miles are now switching from the old 30mph speed limit to the new 20mph speed limit. This means that over a third of roads in the region are set to switch to the new lower speed limit.

Roughly 30,000 road signs are due to be replaced. The Welsh government has issued a map here which outlines all of the roads that are going to be affected by the lower speed limit.

What Enforcement Is In Place For The New Lower Speed Limit?

According to police, responses will be reasonable and proportionate while drivers are getting used to the change. However, if you’re pulled over doing more than 20mph on one of the affected roads in Wales, you could face a minimum fine of £100 and receive 3 penalty points.

According to Welsh police, the focus for the first 12 months will be on education. However, if you’re caught by a fixed speed camera, you will face a penalty.

How Does the New Speed Limit Affect Tradespeople Across The Country?

Unfortunately, the new speed limit is likely to affect most tradespeople across the country. Most tradespeople rely on their vehicles for getting to and from different jobs as well as for storing everything they need to complete their work, so they simply don’t have any other option but to commute with their work van or whatever type of vehicle they use for operating their business.

Daniel Clayton from DC Tiling, who lives in Buckley, says, ‘It’s a right pain – putting it politely.

It depends on where you’re going and what you’re doing, but if you’ve got a week or 2 of domestic jobs locally, it can add a surprising amount of time to your journey – 33% timewise to any local journey – it’s a real nuisance.’

The speed limit change may mean that tradespeople have to work longer hours in order to complete the same amount of work, or they may have to sacrifice the number of jobs they are completing in a day due to the lengthier journey times. Tradespeople will likely have to increase their prices as they will be spending more time driving and less time completing work.