Cllr Eugene Caparros to the Leader

I am aware that Welsh Government are introducing legislation which will change the default speed limit from 30mph to 20mph in built up areas from the 17^th of September this year.  Whilst Members received a briefing on this in March this year, could you please outline the progress to date within BCBC, how the public consultation was received and whether we will be ready for the roll out of this legislation in Bridgend in September?

Cllr Tim Thomas to the Leader

Will the Leader briefly outline his policy proposals to adopt ’15 minute towns” within the County Borough?

Cllr Maxine Lewis to the Cabinet Member - Housing, Planning and Regeneration

Where are we with the development of a Valleys Regeneration Strategy, as it is identified in the new corporate plan.

Cllr Ian Williams to the Cabinet Member - Community Safety and Wellbeing

Can the Cabinet Member please give me some indication as to what provision is being made in Bridgend for outdoor play and recreational facilities for older children in Bridgend County and when? At a meeting last December it was agreed to provide a play area in Newbridge Fields for older children but in a recent email I was told that this was not being taken forward at the moment but it could be an option in the future.

Could I therefore ask when this important provision will take place?

Cllr Mark John to the Cabinet Member - Climate Change and Environment

Could I have a progress report on the Bridgend Heat Network.

Cllr E Caparros to the Leader

I am aware that Welsh Government are introducing legislation which will change the default speed limit from 30mph to 20mph in built up areas from the 17th of September this year.  Whilst Members received a briefing on this in March this year, could you please outline the progress to date within BCBC, how the public consultation was received and whether we will be ready for the roll out of this legislation in Bridgend in September?

Response

The authorities Traffic Management section have been working with Welsh Government on producing maps that detail roads that would comply with the Welsh Government Scheme as well as those roads that may be considered as an exception to the general rollout.

These maps can be viewed on the Data Map Wales Website:

https://datamap.gov.wales/maps/roads-affected-by-changes-to-the-speed-limit-on-re/view#/

The preparation for the changes to the speed limit requires 100’s of signs to be purchased and erected in advance of the changeover which need to be obscured until the changeover date.

Apart from new speed limit signage there will also be new signage in relation to traffic calmed areas and where a 30mph limit is to remain. As well as the circa 1,400’s of signs to be erected there is also the requirement to remove a similar number of signs and road markings that are currently in place and this will all have to occur on or shortly after 17th September 2023.

Work is currently ongoing with designing to new locations for signage and agreeing locations so members and the public will see posts going into place and signs erected but covered over until that date.

Application of Welsh Government guidelines for exceptions to the 20mph default limit identified locations that meet the exception criteria and improve  road safety. Initial engagement suggests support for proposals for roads that meet the exception criteria as well as suggesting minor amendments to the original proposals.  Apart from exceptions revocation of certain traffic orders will need to follow a statutory process to make a road enforceable at the new 20mph default limit.

To advance these exceptions and revocations to the statutory consultation stage, data is being gathered that is required for the legal to commence the Traffic Order making process as the specific locations are measured subject to suitable sites being identified for positioning the highway signage.

It is anticipated that the majority works will be completed for the 17th September when the change will take place, however, due to the thousands of signs involved it is anticipated that there will be ongoing works post that date, and potential amendments subject to how the proposals operate in practice.

Supplementary question from Cllr Caparros

The proposed change in speed limits has been a hot topic on social media. I welcomed the BCBC on-line consultation on the proposals and so am asking how successful was this and will the feedback given impact on what we see on the ground in our communities?

Response

There were a high number of responses  ...  view the full minutes text for item 149