On 17 September 2023, the default 20mph speed limit came into force on urban roads where people live, work and play in Conwy County, and across Wales.
The Welsh Government has changed the default speed limit from 30mph to 20mph to make streets safer by reducing the likelihood of collisions - and death or injury from them. This will make streets safer for walking, wheeling and cycling (known as active travel).
The changes happened on roads where streetlights are placed no more than 200 yards apart, usually located in residential and built-up areas which people use frequently.
About exceptions
The new legislation does not mean all roads have changed to 20mph, some have remained at 30mph, known as exceptions. Every council in Wales has considered which streets in their area should remain at 30mph, following Welsh Government criteria.
You can see the exceptions on Data Map Wales with more information in the Traffic Regulation Orders section of our website.
In Conwy County, these roads (or sections of them) are exceptions to the speed limit change and have stayed at 30mph:
- A470 Royal Welsh Way, Marl Lane Roundabout
- A470 Royal Welsh Way, Narrow Lane Roundabout
- A470 Royal Welsh Way, Black Cat Roundabout
- A547 Conway Road, Llandudno Junction
- A546 Glan y Mor Road, Deganwy
- A546 New Road, Deganwy / Llandudno Junction
- A546 Ffordd 6G, Llandudno Junction
- A547 Conway Road, Conwy
- Crogfryn Lane, Llanrhos
- Gloddaeth Lane, Llanrhos
- B5115 Pentywyn Road, Llanrhos
- A470 Wormhout Way, Llanrhos
- B5115 Penrhyn Hill, Penrhynside
- Bryn y Bia Road, Penrhynside
- Colwyn Road, Penrhynside
- A547 Rhuddlan Road
- A543 Groes, Bylchau
- A548 Towyn Road, Towyn
- Henllys Layby, Towyn
- Kings Drive, Colwyn Bay
- A544 Llanfairtalhaiarn to Llansannan Road
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find out more about Welsh Government’s 20mph legislation and why it is being introduced across Wales?
Please visit Welsh Government’s website for more information.
Did all roads in Conwy County change to 20mph on 17 September 2023?
On 17 September 2023, all restricted roads changed to 20mph. The exceptions came into force on 20 September 2023.
What is a restricted road?
Restricted roads are typically in residential areas and have a system of street lighting (this is defined as three or more street lighting columns within 183m or 200 yards). These roads previously had a speed limit of 30mph.
All councils across Wales had a legal duty to introduce 20mph on all restricted roads on 17 September 2023.
Can Conwy County Borough Council ignore the 20mph criteria set by Welsh Government?
No. Local councils cannot legally disregard criteria when applying speed restrictions to local roads. We assess all speed limits impartially based on national criteria set by Welsh Government.
Will any roads remain at 30mph? Will residents be consulted on this?
There were several roads in Conwy County which could be excepted from the new speed limit.
Welsh Government published exceptions criteria detailing how highway authorities can set exceptions to 20mph speed limits on restricted roads in Wales.
To apply an exception to a restricted road, we must have a clear and reasoned case which shows that there is strong evidence that keeping a higher speed limit would be safe.
We assessed restricted roads across the county and identified roads which meet the exceptions criteria. This list of roads was shared with all Councillors, who were asked to identify any other roads in their wards where they feel exceptions may apply.
You can see the proposed exceptions on Data Map Wales with more information in the Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders section of our website.
The Council must formally advertise exceptions as part of a legal consultation process for Traffic Regulation Orders.
Notices were published in the local press, put up on lampposts on the affected roads and paper copies were available for the public to view at our Coed Pella offices.
The consultation gave residents the opportunity to comment on these roads remaining at 30mph rather than changing to 20mph. Residents are not being consulted on the change to 20mph overall, as this was a Welsh Government decision made by the Senedd in July 2022.
Will the Council be reviewing the exceptions and changing more roads back to 30mph?
The speed limit change has been a major change for everyone and will take a while to get used to. We are open to reviewing exceptions after a bedding-in period.
Welsh Government has announced it will be reviewing the guidance and exception criteria it provides to councils. We will have to take this into account, so we will not make any final decisions until we know about any changes to the criteria.
In the meantime, if you feel that the speed limit on a particular road should be changed, please email our Traffic team at traffic@conwy.gov.uk. Please include as much information and reasons as you can, including why the speed limit is not in line with the current guidance from Welsh Government.
We will listen to the views of all road users – motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. We will particularly take into account the views of residents on that road as to whether they want the speed limit changing on the road where they live.
A Traffic Regulation Order is needed for any change to a speed limit. There is a legal process for consultation and considering objections before we make a final decision.
Are there be repeater signs to remind people they are in a 20mph area?
No. There are new 20mph signs at each end of the speed restriction area. As with previous 30mph limits on restricted roads, repeater signs are not permitted where there is street lighting. The streetlights along the length of road between these signs will remind a driver they are in a 20mph area.
We have speed humps along my road, will these be removed now 20mph has been introduced?
Existing traffic calming measures, such as speed humps, have been introduced in certain areas to improve road safety. A 20mph speed limit does not automatically remove the need for traffic calming schemes. As with all safety schemes, we will continue to review how effective they are.
Will you be adding speed humps on residential roads to help enforce the new 20mph speed limit?
We don’t have plans to add speed humps to all 20mph roads. We will consider road safety issues on a case by case basis.
Who is paying for the introduction of 20mph on restricted roads in Conwy?
All costs associated with implementing 20mph across Wales will be met by Welsh Government through a grant to local councils.
Who will enforce the new 20mph speed limits?
The Police will continue to be responsible for enforcing speed limits. If you are concerned about speeding in your community, you can ask for speed enforcement through the GoSafe website.