**Rhondda Cynon Taf Considers Reinstating 30mph Speed Limits on Select Roads**
A significant change may soon be on the horizon for motorists in Rhondda Cynon Taf, as local authorities review the speed limits on dozens of roads across the county borough. Following a contentious national policy shift introduced by the Welsh Government in 2023, a list of 26 specific roads is being considered for a return to their former 30mph speed limit, moving away from the recently imposed 20mph restriction.
The policy, which took effect in September 2023, had made 20mph the new default for most ‘restricted roads’—those typically lined with houses and frequently used by pedestrians. While the intention was to enhance community safety, the change sparked widespread debate and resistance amongst residents and motorists. In fact, a petition objecting to the blanket reduction attracted nearly 500,000 signatures, prompting the government to take a closer look at the consequences of implementing the lower speed limit.
A report due to be presented to Rhondda Cynon Taf’s climate change, frontline services and prosperity committee on Thursday, 17 July, sets out the proposed changes. Among the roads being considered for a return to 30mph are prominent routes such as the A4059 through Penderyn, sections of the B4273 in Pontypridd, and key link roads in Mountain Ash, Hirwaun and Llantrisant. Other areas identified include specific portions of the Church Village bypass, along with a number of roads serving industrial estates and residential communities.
This move comes off the back of updated guidance from the Welsh Government, which instructed councils to review the speed limits in their local areas and consider reinstating higher limits where it is safe and appropriate to do so. The new framework, which was published in July 2024, stresses the importance of tailoring speed restrictions to local conditions and road environments, rather than applying a blanket policy.
Council data indicates significant public engagement on this issue. Between May and December 2024, the authority received 313 requests for reviews from individuals, organisations and community groups. Many of these focused on specific streets, while others called for reassessing larger areas and key distributor roads. Officials compiled and rationalised these requests into around 90 discrete locations for formal review.
A detailed assessment process followed, with data gathered on travel times, vehicle speeds before and after the 20mph limit was introduced, collision history, road layouts, and patterns of pedestrian use. A review panel convened in March 2025 to scrutinise each route, taking into account evidence affecting road safety and the practicalities of enforcing different speed limits.
After careful consideration, 26 candidate roads were shortlisted as possible exceptions to the 20mph default, potentially reverting to 30mph. The council has now launched a period of consultation, inviting feedback from local residents, businesses, and road safety stakeholders. All responses will be taken into consideration, with a further report due to be presented to the committee summarising the consultation’s findings and recommendations before any final decisions are made.
Supporters of the original 20mph limit contend it has improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists, especially in towns and villages where traffic interacts closely with people on foot. But many motorists have described the transition as confusing or unnecessary, with some arguing that slower speeds on certain major roads disrupt traffic flow and delay journeys.
The debate reflects a broader dialogue happening in communities across Wales, as local authorities attempt to balance ambitious road safety objectives with practical realities and public sentiment. The Welsh Government, for its part, has reaffirmed its overarching commitment to safer streets but acknowledges the need for a more selective application of the 20mph limit.
As consultations continue, the citizens of Rhondda Cynon Taf are being encouraged to share their views on the proposed changes. The outcome will help determine the future of road safety policy in the area, offering a potential template for other regions wrestling with similar concerns.
For ongoing updates on this story and the latest developments in Welsh public policy, readers are advised to follow official communications from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and to participate in the public consultation if their communities are affected.