Hundreds of drivers caught breaking 20mph limit

The 20mph zones was put in place to save lives and to get more people walking and cycling, but it has proved controversial

More than 740 drivers were caught breaking the 20mph speed limit in Wales in April, and about 1,750 have been since January.

Lowering the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph in built-up areas has been one of the most controversial law changes made by the Welsh government.

It was introduced to save lives and get more people walking and cycling, but the £34m law has not been universally popular.

Among those driving above 20mph in April, one motorist was caught driving at 70mph.

Last month, there were 251 motorists caught speeding in north Wales.

This compares with 491 in south and mid Wales, which showed a slight drop over the month.

The average speed of offences committed in April was just over 30mph.

The average speed for offences has crept up after being around 28mph since enforcement started.

Just over a third of roads in Wales since last September have carried a default 20mph limit.

However, some roads in Wales will revert to 30mph following a backlash.

Transport Secretary Ken Skates said the changes will address the concerns that "a lot of people" have raised "on a consistent basis".

"We've put our hands up to say the guidance has to be corrected," he said.

Mr Skates highlighted the almost half a million signatures to a Senedd petition opposing the policy, brought in under former first minister Mark Drakeford and his transport minister Lee Waters.

Natasha Asghar, the Welsh Conservatives spokesperson on transport said the "ridiculous" law had been "a disaster from the start".

"The massive public opposition to this policy has only grown since its inception and these fines prove that despite Labour’s spin, 20mph is here to stay," she said.

• This report was amended on Friday 10 May after North Wales Police said it had incorrectly reported its figure of 251 offences as 660. The force blamed a data system error and apologised