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The lower limit, introduced across Wales on 'restricted roads' often found in bustling residential zones since September 2023, had sparked a backlash from drivers.

Succumbing to pressure, the Welsh government granted local councils the liberty to shift select streets back up to 30mph.

This month marked a new chapter of liberty on the lanes as two Wrexham byways reverted to 30mph post-public consultation. The B5605 Wrexham Road in Johnstown and the A525 Bryn-Y-Grog Road shrugged off the constraints to the delight of motorists.

Homeowner Anna Roberts, 60, has lived on Wrexham Road for 15 years and said the lower limit made no difference to the speed of traffic.

"I think sometimes it is ridiculous going at 20," she said. "I think around schools and stuff, how it was before, then fine.

"In places where there have been accidents and statistics show that 20 would be safer, but I can't see that it makes any difference here."

The part-time office worker admitted that she regularly travelled above 20mph.

She added: "If it's a road like this I'd keep to 25 or 26, if it's around a school I'd go down to 20.

"I would say that I've rarely gone down to 20 in a place that I didn't think it needed to be 20. I don't think many people do though.

"Going along, if you've got someone going at 20 there's a queue of traffic behind them."

According to Statistics Wales, recorded road collisions on 20 and 30 mph roads last year were at the lowest level since records began - with 1,751 casualties - a 20% decrease since 2023, or the largest yearly fall apart from 2020, during the pandemic.

At the BP petrol station in Johnstown, motorists were united in their opposition to the blanket 20mph limit.

Energy company director Mike Robson, 38, lambasted the 20 mph limit for 'messing people's heads up'.

He said: "Some areas go from 40 to 20 back to 40 again, which is a bit confusing for people."

Robson confessed: "I've been caught out speeding in the 20 mph areas where it's been a road like this, and it's been a bit confusing because some roads have changed or they're changing back.

"I don't really know what's going on, to be honest."

The Vauxhall Insignia, BMW, and Range Rover owner argued for a return to 30 mph limits on certain roads and cited a recent accident in a nearby town as a consequence of the reduced speed limit.

Robson added: "There's a lot of people getting angry as well, it does feel weird being on a road like this doing 20, and I know that it affects some vehicles - especially high-performance vehicles."

He shared his personal experience: "I've got a lot of high-performance vehicles and they don't go very well at 20, so you find a lot of juddering about."

The introduction of a 20mph speed limit has sparked controversy among locals, with some citing safety concerns and increased traffic congestion. A recent incident in Broughton highlights the tension, as one resident witnessed: "I've seen crashes, especially the older generation where they want to go bang on 20, and as soon as they slow down people behind, people behind are in a backlog, and it's like a ripple effect down the traffic.

"The fourth car at the end ends up hitting the back, that's what happened in Broughton."

At the local petrol station, Claire Dodd, a 54 year old professional dog walker, shared her thoughts whilst topping up her van.

She said: "If somebody's in front of you doing 25, you probably keep up with them - if you've got somebody at the back of you if you're doing 20 or 18, you feel under pressure.

"I think there's a sensible approach to it, I think there's a definite need for 20 mph in residential areas where schools are, but like I said this is a main trunk road - it's a busy road to do 20.

"They've got lots of pedestrian crossings and lots of traffic lights along this road, so I think it's fine back how it is now.

"In some areas I think it's a benefit and it needs to stay in place, but if they're re-assessing certain roads, this road was one of the good ones to pick I think."

Echoing Dodd's sentiment for revisiting the implementation, community nurse Rebecca Sumner expressed relief at the speed limit being reverted to 30mph, which she felt improved her ability to care for her patients efficiently: "I think it helps, because doing 20 mph everywhere when you've got patients to see and you've got a full list, it does account.

"So yeah, I'm all for it."

Retiree Barbara Robins-Partridge was also filling up at the BP garage. She said the 20 limit had been 'a real pain'.

The Ford Fusion driver said: "You had to really concentrate on what you're doing, if you've got 40 then 20 you've got to be on the ball, otherwise you're going to get a ticket.

"Around hospitals, where it was before was sensible. You want to protect the children, you want to protect people that are going in to hospitals.

"Where there's a danger, people that might not be as quick on their feet or children who are off with the fairies, bless them, I think it's brilliant... the ones that are back to 30, it's almost back to normal."

However, some were in favour of the lower limit.

This unnamed local observed, "There's not been a particular change, because I don't think people were sticking to the 20.

"On a personal level, I would have preferred if it had stayed as a 20, not just because of it being our house, but because we've got young children and people walk along this road."

Yet, they pointed out a lack of enforcement: "But I've not noticed a change, because I think people were doing 30 anyway."

Welsh transport tsar Ken Skates chimed in last week: "The principal objective of the policy is to save lives and reduce casualties - and we know there is widespread evidence it does that.

"However, this is about getting the right speeds on the right roads, building from the broad consensus that 20mph is right where people live, work and play.

"I am pleased that Wrexham Council has managed to strike a balance and has started to make the changes following feedback from local people.

"Our updated guidance allows local authorities to consider making changes where it is safe and appropriate to do so."

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