Wales' 20mph speed limit: Bus route cuts considered

Arriva Buses Wales says the new limit has had an "impact on punctuality"

Some bus routes could be cut or altered as a result of the introduction of Wales' 20mph speed limit.

Arriva Buses Wales said the new limit had led to an "impact on punctuality", with other possible changes including cutting some stops from certain routes.

Arriva said it was undertaking a "large scale review of the network" and was "discussing the implications".

The Welsh government said it was providing significant funding for bus priority measures.

An email sent by an Arriva worker to local authorities, seen by Newyddion S4C, discussed possible changes.

• Wales could lose quarter of bus services, say operators

• Bus shake-up could see one network across Wales

In the email, the worker acknowledged the potential changes "won't be popular" but added services had to operate punctually.

Arriva is considering altering the number five route between Caernarfon, Bangor and Llandudno, saying the 20mph limit adds an extra 12 minutes in each direction, according to the worker's email.

The number four route, between Bangor and Holyhead, requires an extra 11 minutes in each direction, while buses 14 and 15 between Llysfaen and Conwy need an extra five minutes each way, the email said.

Possible changes to other bus routes were also discussed, including the possible withdrawal of buses five, four and 58 from Ysbyty Gwynedd grounds, dropping hospital visitors off on the main road instead.

Up to 12 minutes have been added each way to one route, according to an email from an Arriva worker

The email to councils also mentioned the increase in 20mph zones in densely populated areas such as Old Colwyn, Colwyn Bay and Deganwy in Conwy has led to longer bus journeys.

The email said bus five could also either "withdraw fully" from the village of Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd, or only serve it once per hour.

Similar measures are being considered in Llanfairfechan, Penmaenmawr and Dwygyfylchi, Conwy.

The Welsh government has a target to reduce traffic miles by 10% per person by 2030 and ensure 10% of all journeys are either made on public transport, foot, or bike by 2040.

But with 20mph pressures and budget cuts to services, one expert said this was unlikely to happen.

"The way the bus service in Wales is declining is quite rapid now", said transport journalist Rhodri Clark.

"The bus is vital for what the Welsh government want to do in reducing carbon emissions but at the moment the Welsh government is underfunding the bus industry by quite a few million pounds.

"On top of that we've got the effect of 20mph so they outlook is looking pretty bleak," he said.

The Welsh government says its new 20mph default speed limit could save the NHS £93m a year

It is also understood that further similar proposals could be made for areas like Rhyl, Wrexham and Chester.

Welsh government data shows 37% of Welsh roads are now at 20mph with 3% still at 30mph.

Arriva said it had been monitoring the situation and so far there had been "an impact on punctuality".

"This is creating challenging operational conditions.

"We are undertaking a large-scale review of the network and it's going to require a combination of additional resources, changes to frequencies to routes to improve punctuality to better serve customers."

Plaid Cymru said better services were vital and services should have been improved due to 20mph introduction, adding it was unhappy this was yet to happen.

The Welsh Conservatives said better services were an integral part of ensuring fewer people used their cars.

The Welsh government said it was working closely with bus operators and local authorities and would be "refocusing funding on bus priority in the next round of local transport fund grants".

It said it would "monitor" the impact on buses but said called the move to 20mph was the "biggest step-change to community safety in a generation".

• BLACK MUSIC WALES: The artists who pioneered black music in Wales

• WALES' HOME OF THE YEAR: Which home will be crowned the winner?