Councillor criticised over 20mph speed limit pages

The controversial 20mph speed limits were brought into force in Wales last year

An English councillor has been criticised for running multiple Facebook groups opposing the 20mph speed limit in Wales.

Sunderland councillor Lyall Reed was found to be opposing the national speed limit in Wales, despite supporting the limit in his own area.

Mr Reed, a Conservative, has been accused of "rank hypocrisy" by a fellow Sunderland councillor.

But Mr Reed said there was a "clear difference" between speed limits covering "targeted zones" and a national policy.

In September 2023, Wales became the first nation of the UK to reduce its speed limit from 30mph to 20mph on restricted roads.

The change proved controversial and a petition calling for the rule to be reversed received more than 450,000 signatures.

A number of social media groups opposing the 20mph limit were run by Mr Reed, a councillor representing the St Michael's ward of Sunderland, an investigation by Wales Online revealed.

Mr Reed is the deputy leader of the Sunderland Conservatives and campaigned for his council seat on a manifesto pledge of "dealing with speeding", according to the Sunderland Conservatives' website.

This included supporting 20mph speed limits in his ward.

Lib Dem councillor for Fulwell Peter Walton said: "Sunderland Conservatives have been busted for rank hypocrisy of the highest order.

"Local people deserve to know the truth about whether or not Conservative councillors can be trusted to support measures to reduce speeding and keep our streets safe."

'Clear difference'

Mr Reed said: "Across Wales it is clear that a blanket policy of 20mph is unpopular.

"In my ward I personally advocate for 20mph zones in front of schools and nurseries which are sensible locations.

"There is, however, a clear difference between targeted zones and a blanket policy."

Mr Reed did not comment on why he campaigned against the speed limit changes in Wales, which is about 130 miles from the ward he represents in Sunderland.