Reform Wales MS Mr Parry-Jones branded the “slow implementation” of previously announced speed limit reversals “wholly unacceptable”. The council said the process will takes time
Newly elected Senedd Member Cai Parry-Jones wants more roads to revert back to having 20mph speed limits (Image: Reform UK)
A newly elected Reform Senedd Member has written to Cardiff Council asking it to scrap 20mph speed limits on several roads in the city.
Cai Parry-Jones, MS for Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf, has also described the “slow implementation” of previously announced speed limit reversals as “wholly unacceptable”. The council said the process is statutory and will take time. In March last year, Cardiff Council confirmed that four major roads would revert from a 20mph speed limit back to a 30mph limit following a review of the Welsh Government’s default policy which was implemented in 2023.
So far only one of the roads has seen its speed limit changed back, with Hadfield Road, Ocean Way and Western Avenue all remaining as 20mph zones. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.
In a letter to Cardiff Council’s cabinet member for climate change, strategic planning and transport, councillor Dan De’Ath, Mr Parry-Jones wrote: “I regard this situation as wholly unacceptable. I would therefore like to ask you to provide an urgent update on the status of these changes, and give a date residents can expect the roads to return to 30mph.”
He also called on Cardiff Council to consider reverting additional roads back to 30mph, highlighting Excalibur Drive, Caerphilly Road and Cyncoed Road as “routes which received substantial public support for review”.
The Reform Wales MS said the issue had been raised repeatedly with him by voters from across the political spectrum during the Senedd election campaign.
Cardiff Council’s technical review considered 192 roads across the city as part of the process of identifying routes potentially suitable for reverting to 30mph. The Welsh Government has said that while 20mph remains the default speed limit on restricted roads, local authorities retain discretion over which roads are more appropriately designated at 30mph.
Speaking at the Senedd, Cai Parry-Jones MS said: “The people who elected me voted for a manifesto that explicitly said the default 20mph speed limit should be scrapped, and I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I didn’t represent their views.
“It’s clearly not right that after a review of nearly 200 roads in our city, only one has changed back to 30mph. I look forward to having constructive discussions with Cardiff Council and Welsh Government ministers on this issue.”
A Cardiff Council spokesperson said: “Changing the speed limit on a road requires a legal process including a statutory consultation to be followed to create a new Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). This process typically takes up to 12 months to complete.
“Following the completion of the TRO process, it is then necessary to change the signage on the affected roads. “
Following a decision in Spring 2025 to revert Ocean Way, Hadfield Road and Western Avenue back to 30mph, the TRO process has been completed and the signage is expected to be installed over the summer, allowing the revised speed limit to be implemented.
A council spokesperson added: “Newport Road, between Rumney Hill and Cypress Hill Drive, will also revert to 30mph as part of this process, with the exception of a short section close to St Illtyd’s High School. The current 30mph speed limit on Newport Road, between Dumfries Place and Rumney Hill, will remain in place.
“A review of all 20mph roads in Cardiff was completed in 2025 following the amended guidance from Welsh Government. There are no plans to carry out further reviews of existing 20mph limits.”
The full letter from Cai Parry-Jones MS for Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf to Cllr De’Ath:
“Dear Cllr De’Ath,
“I am writing to you following my election as Member of the Senedd for Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf. It is a privilege to serve the people of Cardiff, and I look forward to working constructively with you and your council colleagues to improve our city.
“As you will be aware, I was elected on a manifesto which included a commitment to scrap the default 20mph speed limit policy in Wales. Furthermore, I had many conversations on the doorsteps with Cardiff residents on the subject, with the vast majority speaking of frustration with 20mph roads in Cardiff.
“Last year, Cardiff Council announced that four key roads in Cardiff would revert from 20mph back to 30mph following a review undertaken by Council officers.
“However, only one of the four roads has reverted to 30mph, with Hadfield Road, Ocean Way and Western Avenue still unchanged at 20mph.
“I regard this situation as wholly unacceptable. I would therefore like to ask you to provide an urgent update on the status of these changes, and give a date residents can expect the roads to return to 30mph.
“While I accept that these roads are not within my constituency, I know you will agree that these changes impact all residents in our city.
“The council’s technical review paper also states that 192 roads across Cardiff were considered as part of this process.
“The Welsh Government has also made clear that, while 20mph remains the default speed limit on restricted roads, local authorities retain discretion to determine which roads are more appropriately designated at 30mph.
“In light of this, I would ask the council to consider whether a wider range of roads in the city should revert to 30mph.
“In particular, I would be grateful if consideration could be given to:
● Excalibur Drive
● Caerphilly Road
● and Cyncoed Road
“Each of which received significant public support for review during the council’s consultation process. Cardiff Council’s published data shows these roads were among the most frequently requested for reconsideration.
“We recognise that 20mph speed limits can play an important role in the appropriate settings. However, it is equally important that speed limits reflect the character and function of individual roads, ensuring public confidence in the wider policy framework.
“I would welcome the opportunity to engage further with the council on this matter and look forward to your response.”
“Yours sincerely, Cai Parry-Jones MS, Member of the Senedd for Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf.”
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