New 20mph zones are not going to be introduced along the M4 motorway. It was, of course, an April Fool joke.
In our article, we said the speed limit was going to be permanently reduced to 20mph on some of the busiest sections of the motorway as part of further Welsh Government measures to reduce pollution in surrounding built-up areas.
The limit had already been cut to 50mph on some parts of the road in a bid to manage congestion, improve journey times, reduce accidents and improve air quality. But the new move - if real - would have made Wales the only country in the world to have such a low speed limit enforced on a motorway.
READ MORE: Polluting drivers in Wales may face charges for using M4 and A470
We said that the new limit would initially only be introduced between junctions 41 and 42 in Port Talbot and between junctions 24 and 28 in Newport, where speeds have already been cut to 50mph. We also said that while further locations are set to be trialled, it is believed that there are currently no plans for the 20mph limit to be introduced on any other major road in Wales other than the M4.
Announcing the new zones, a (fake) government spokesperson said that while the move was likely to be an unpopular one, the reduced limit would be a "quick and effective" way of reducing nitrous oxide levels, which can cause breathing difficulties and potentially lead to serious illnesses including heart disease, lung cancer and asthma.
However, the reported move left (also fake) motorists across Wales furious, with many questioning the logic behind such a severe reduction. Those who use the road every day described the decision as "absolute madness," with many agreeing that the new zones "will create more problems than they will solve".
The speed limit has already been reduced to 50mph on stretches of some major roads in Wales, with cameras being installed in five built up areas two years ago, including the M4 at Port Talbot, the A494 at the border and St David’s Interchange, the A483 at Wrexham and the A470 at Pontypridd. While cameras at these locations became active in October 2021, those at the fifth, between junctions 24 and 28 of the M4 weren't turned on until November 2022, with over 1,600 people flouting the new limit in the first two months of its enforcement.
We said that an official implementation date for the new zones had not yet been announced, but the speed limit could be cut as soon as September this year, to coincide with the introduction of default 20mph limits on roads in residential or built-up areas around Wales.
That move (which really is happening) will see the existing limit of 30mph on restricted roads cut to 20mph, will come into force on September 17. It will make Wales one of the first countries in the world - and the first in the UK - to have 20mph speed limits on roads routinely used by motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. While a report found that the change would have minimal impact on journey times, however, the Welsh Government's own analysis suggested it could cost the economy billions. You can read more about that here.
Another proposed new law could also see motorists charged for using the M4, as well as the A470, after the Welsh Government was given new powers to create new low-emissions zones on major roads. With drivers encouraged to use newer, less-polluting vehicles or make the switch to public transport, those using more polluting vehicles may have to pay to use the road.
Explaining the new zones, a (fake) spokesperson for the government's (fictional) Finding and Reducing Carbon Emissions (FARCE) group, which helped develop the plans, said: "We understand that any new speed limit, particularly one as heavily reduced as this, is likely to be unpopular with many motorists. However, it is crucial that we do whatever we can to reduce outdoor air pollution, which is recognised by the World Health Organisation as the largest environmental threat to health.
"We believe that the introduction of 20mph zones between junctions 41 and 42 in Port Talbot and between junctions 24 and 28 in Newport will prove a quick and effective way to reduce NO2 levels, while also improving safety on the motorway and reducing the number of road traffic collisions that occur. Further locations are likely to be trialled in the near future, while an official date for implementing the new zones will be announced in due course."
However, the reported move left drivers baffled, with many struggling to understand what the zones will actually achieve. Louisa Milton, who drives for a living and uses the road every day, is one of the many motorists who have reacted angrily to the decision, as she labelled it as "absolute madness".
"I couldn't believe it when I first heard about it," she told WalesOnline. "I thought someone was winding me up. It's bad enough that they're reducing it to 20mph on residential streets, it's too slow a speed for those kind of roads, let alone the M4. It's absolute madness. I don't think it will do anything to reduce emissions, it just seems like another way to make money through speeding fines".
Fellow motorist Nick Elouder agreed, saying: "I can't see how anyone can say that this is going to reduce accidents. I can sort of see the logic behind cutting it to 50mph, but all the way down to 20mph is absolutely ridiculous. How are people going to slow down from 70mph without there being an accident? It's a scary thought." Ross Berg added: "This is going to cause carnage. What are they thinking?"
However, others were slightly more supportive. "You never know until you try it," said Nigella Mansul. "Look at when seatbelts were made compulsory, or even the carrier bag charges. People just love to moan. about things. I'm sure they wouldn't put it in place if they didn't think it was going to make a difference."
"I'm still a bit sceptical," added Alun Pross. "But with the roads as dangerous as they are and air pollution as bad as it is, I'm willing to try anything. It will take some getting used to though!"
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