Wales Reverses 20mph Limits on 52 Roads, Edinburgh Slashes 40mph Speeds

In Wales, Wrexham County Borough Council is reversing 20mph speed limits back to 30mph on 52 road sections, including the B5605 Wrexham Rd/High Street and the A525 Bryn-Y-Grog Road, following public backlash and new Welsh Government guidance aimed at targeting 20mph zones more appropriately. The policy shift aims to balance safety concerns with community feedback, with officials emphasizing the importance of placing 20mph limits only where appropriate to save lives. Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, city officials are implementing a series of speed reductions from 40mph to 30mph on 19 streets starting June 9, as part of a broader strategy to reduce car travel and improve road safety, noting the significant survival advantage for pedestrians and cyclists at lower speeds. The Edinburgh measures follow earlier reductions to 20mph on over 60 streets and are enforced with penalties for violations. While the Welsh Government has provided funding for councils to adjust speed limits, there is no strict deadline for completion, and local authorities are moving at different paces to find consensus on the divisive issue. Overall, both regions are actively adjusting speed limits to enhance road safety, though community response and policy approaches vary.