Minister joins Abergele pupils on walk to school to mark new 20mph

On Sunday, September 17, Wales became the first UK nation to introduce a new default 20mph speed limit on most residential roads across the country.  

To mark the change, pupils from Ysgol Sant Elfod primary school in Abergele were joined on their walk to school by minister for North Wales, Lesley Griffiths.

Ms Griffiths got to hear first-hand from teachers and children (Image: Submitted)
Ms Griffiths got to hear first-hand from teachers and children what a difference the slower speeds will make, not just outside the school gates, but also in their everyday lives.

Children also took part in an exercise to learn about the benefits of walking, cycling and scooting with active travel organisations Living Streets and Sustrans.

Children learnt about the benefits of walking, cycling and scooting (Image: Submitted)
Ms Griffiths said: "By becoming the first nation in the UK to adopt 20mph speed limits, Wales is part of a growing global movement helping ensure roads in built-up areas are safer.

“Evidence shows lower speeds result in fewer collisions and help save lives and I hope this change to the law will encourage more people to walk or cycle to places they would have previously driven.”

Umbrellas up! Ysgol Sant Elfod pupils walked to school with North Wales minister Lesley Griffiths (Image: Submitted)
Gwynne Vaughan, headteacher of Ysgol Sant Elfod, said: "Having slower speed limits on the journey to school is hugely important for the safety of our pupils, their parents and guardians. We believe that the new default speed limit will make it safer for people travelling to school and make the journey more enjoyable.

Ysgol Sant Elfod (Image: Submitted)
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“Hopefully, more people will be encouraged to travel to school by walking, scooting or cycling. It will also give our school community a better opportunity to connect with each other socially, too.

"Ultimately, 20mph speed limits save lives and make our communities nicer places to live.”