The Welsh Government has advised local authorities to consider potential, as well as current, active travel on individual streets when deciding which sections of road to exempt from the 20mph default speed limit, which will apply across Wales from 17 September.

The government’s new guidance on the exceptions process says it may be appropriate to retain the 30mph limit if significant numbers of pedestrians and cyclists do not travel along or across the road, or if there is no potential of significant numbers doing so if traffic speeds were reduced. The government expects the 20mph default limit to encourage people to make more walking and cycling trips.