PLANS to exempt a 30 mph stretch of road at Cemaes was approved during a debate over the introduction of 20 mph speed limits on Anglesey.
Despite the exemption, the “majority” of roads in Cemaes will still fall under the new 20mph speed limit when new traffic rules come in on September 17, a meeting heard today.
It comes as the Welsh Government changes legislation, meaning most 30mph roads will be reduced to 20 mph in Wales. Thirteen proposed 30 mph speed limit exemption areas had already been identified on Anglesey.
They included the B5109 Pont y Brenin, Llangoed, A5025 Cemaes Bay, A5025 Pentraeth, B5110 Marianglas, A5 Penrhos, Holyhead, A4080 Brynsiencyn, A5 Gaerwen, A5 Caergeiliog, B4545 Four Mile Bridge, Llangefni Link Road, A5 & A4080 Llanfairpwll, A545 Menai Bridge and A5 Gwalchmai.
The criteria for exemption had been based on the density of adjacent residential and retail premises fronting a road, the proximity of facilities such as educational establishments, community centres and hospitals.
A further review of locations had been undertaken to determine whether it was “appropriate” for identified lengths of roads to be exempt.
One included the reduction of a section between the Ysgol y Graig Roundabout and the Coleg Menai Roundabout be 20mph. The Highway Authority had considered comments and reviewed the location a council report stated.
Trewalchmai Community Council had also commented on a proposed exemption on the A5 approach between the recycling centre and Wylfa Terrace. It had considered the exemption should be shorter in length, that the 20mph restriction should commence at a point further out of the village.
The Highways Authority had decided that there was “no justification” to extend the 20mph speed limit further out.
However, orders were prepared for 13 exempted areas on the island following a consultation,
But, out of 13 comments received by the council, only one which related to Cemaes had been considered as “relevant and valid”.
It required formal consideration by planners as an “objection” and was discussed at Anglesey County Council’s planning and orders committee today, Wednesday, September 6.
It had concerned a proposed exemption to the 20mph rule on the A5025 in the village.
Officers recommended and won the committee’s approval, for the length of road between Gwlefor Estate and the roundabout on the A5025 to remain at 30mph.
An objector had noted speeding issues on the A5025 and felt it deterred pedestrians from using the pavement, highways officer Alun Roberts told the meeting.
“The objector had wished for this section to be included within the 20mph speed limit proposed for Cemaes,” the officer had said.
But it was not to be.
The highways report stated: “The authority had considered the proposed exemption of 30mph on the A5025 in Cemaes between the access into Gwelfor Estate and the roundabout as consistent with Welsh Government’s criteria. Specifically that the length of 340m would be in excess to the advised minimum distance for a speed limit.
“With consideration to the nature and function of the road with minimal adjacent residential development it would be an unrealistic expectation for motorists to drive at 20mph on this length of the A5025,”
Proposing members accept an exemption plan for the Cemaes road, the local member Cllr Liz Wood had also queried if a 20 mph section marked in yellow on a map concerned the high street. The officer confirmed it would.
The exempted area marked in red, where the speed would stay at 30 mph, concerned an area between the Gwelfor Estate and the roundabout on the A5025.
“We were of the opinion that the speed limit there should stay at 30 mph and is marked in red on the map, as exempt,” the officer said.
“Apart from that area, the majority of Cemaes will be within the 20 mph zone.”
Councillor Wood replied: “I’m local to Cemaes, you can’t drive faster than 20 mph through Cemaes anyway,” to which several councillors nodded.
