Senedd rejects Reform motion to scrap Wales 20mph speed limits

The Senedd has rejected a motion from Reform UK to scrap Wales’ default 20mph speed limits, with the proposal defeated by 51 votes to 37. Reform UK argued the policy has wasted public funds, noting that local authorities had to replace hundreds of signs only for some routes to be reconsidered or returned to 30mph.

Transport Minister Mark Hooper defended the policy, stating that lower speed limits in areas where pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles mix are “fundamentally the right policy”. He noted that collisions on 20mph and 30mph roads fell by 300 between 2022 and last year, and that total casualties on those roads have decreased by 23% since the limit was introduced. Hooper confirmed there were 19 fatalities on 20mph roads in 2025.

The debate was marked by tension, with Deputy Transport Minister Mark Hooper accused of intimidating Reform MS Llŷr Powell. Welsh Conservative Janet Finch-Saunders raised a point of order, describing Hooper’s behavior—which included turning his chair to stare at Powell and interjecting during his speech—as “almost intimidating”.