Conwy Council expects to start reverting some 30mph roads to 20mph this summer – more than a year after Wrexham underwent the same process. The lengthy process has frustrated anti-20mph campaigners who claim Wales’ default speed limits are unsuitable for certain roads. Online, one Conwy motorist described how she is being “driven insane” by the speed of daily commutes on a road due to be revised.
The local authority launched a public consultation on the planned changes in March, some 15 months after Wrexham. Conwy blamed subsequent delays on the number of objections it received from people opposed to the proposed revisions.
A total of 18 road sections were proposed for revision in Conwy. In a letter, the council said that, as of last week, more than half of the objections received have been resolved – objectors have withdrawn their concerns in writing.
Any outstanding objections must be referred to councillors for a final decision, which is due this week. If these are rejected, all 18 road sections will be subject to a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) – step six in a seven-stage process.
A Conwy Council spokesperson said: “We expect the Traffic Regulation Order process to be completed by the end of June. Changes to speed limit signage will then take place.”
In contrast, Wrexham Council began reverting speed limit signs on 52 road sections in May 2025. One woman noted grumpily: “Wrexham finished their signage in June 25.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
A default 20mph limit was introduced in built-up areas across Wales in September 2023. Despite being brought in to reduce collisions, the 20mph limit has faced fierce criticism from motorists across the country.
First to consult was Flintshire Council in late 2024. It began rolling back specific 20mph zones to 30mph through a series of TROs that began in September 2025 and continued through 2026.
Anglesey Council began approving TROs in October 2025, with new signage following shortly after. Denbighshire Council hasn’t reverted any of its 20mph roads back to 30mph.
Cyngor Gwynedd took a different approach, using exception powers before the 2023 rollout to keep 85 roads at 30mph. Consultations did take place on just two roads, the A499 at Llanbedrog and the A496 at Bontddu.
The drawn-out statutory process has puzzled drivers wanting speed revisions. Online, one said: “It seems objections to changing to 20mph never mattered – but when reverting a few roads back to 30mph, even having just one objection is slowing down the process dramatically.”
Conwy 20mph road sections proposed to revert to 30mphB4406 Penmachno
Buffer speed limit from 40m north of its junction with Tyddyn Gethin for a distance of 580m in a south-westerly direction. Additional measures possible to encourage compliance
B5115 Colwyn Road, Craigside, Llandudno
Road section is from 106m north of its easternmost junction with Bryn y Bia Road to a point 335m east of its junction with Nant y Gamar Road, a distance of 1.5km Additional road markings at 20mph speed limit terminal point entering Llandudno. Change from 40mph to 30mph at Craigside to Penrhyn Hill for route consistency.
B5115 Glan Y Mor Road, Penrhyn Bay
Road is from Marine Drive to a point 70m west of its junction with Maesgwyn Road, a distance of 680m. Additional road markings at 20mph speed limit terminal point entering Penrhyn Bay.
B5115 Marine Drive, Rhos
Road section identified as Marine Drive from Glan y Mor Road to a point 40m south east of its junction with Trillo Avenue, a distance of 1.2km (length reduced to account for feedback relating to proximity to play area, tourist use and siting of terminal signs). Additional road markings at 20mph speed limit terminal point entering Rhos on Sea.
B5115 Llandudno Road, Coleg Llandrillo
Road section is from 78m south east of its junction with Llanrhos Road to a point 75m north west of its junction with Dinerth Hall Road, a distance of 550m. Additional road markings at 20mph speed limit terminal points.
B5115 Conway Road, Llanrhos
Road section is from 270m south of St Anne’s Gardens to its junction with Vicarage Road, a distance of 1.3km
Bryn Lupus Rd, Llanrhos
Road section is from 10m east of the junction with Maes-y Castell to a point 25m west of its junction with Bryn Maelgwyn Lane, a distance of 430m. Additional road markings possible at 20mph speed limit terminal points.
Sychnant Pass Road
Road section is from 25m west of the junction with Lon Caer Seion for a distance of 200m (to the speed terminal signs). Buffer speed limit to aid compliance.
Meirion Drive, Conwy
Road section is from 30m north of its junction with the A55 to a point 22m south west of its junction with Yr Angorfa, a distance of 690m. Additional road markings possible at 20mph speed limit terminal point.
B5106 Llanrwst
Road section is from 20m north east of its junction with Plas Glorian to a point 20m south of its junction with Bryntirion Park, a distance of 300m. Buffer speed limit to aid compliance. Additional road markings possible at 20mph speed limit terminal point.
B5279 Tal-y-Cafn to Tyn-y-Groes Road
Road section is from 65m east of its junction with Conway Road to a point 193m west of its junction with Ceir Porthmon (existing 40mph terminal), a distance of 860m. Additional road markings possible at 20mph speed limit terminal point.
B5106 Gwydyr Road, Dolgarrog
Change to 30mph with additional road markings at 20mph speed limit terminal point. Road section identified as Gwydyr Road, 60m south of its junction with Bryn Morfa (at 40mph terminal) to a point 135m south of its junction with Clark Street, a distance of 720m.
A547 Abergele
Road section is from 15m north east of its junction with Cambrian Road to a point 136m south east of its junction with Highlands Road (at existing 40mph terminal), a distance of 1km. Additional measures possible at 20mph speed limit terminal point entering Old Colwyn.
B5113 Llanrwst Road, Mochdre
Road section is from its junction with Conway Road to a point 60m north of its junction with Old Highway, a distance of 770m.
B5113 Llanrwst Road, Bryn y Maen, Upper Colwyn
Road section is from a point adjacent to No 230 Llanrwst Road to a point 290m south of its junction with Mochdre Road and Nant y Glyn Road, a distance of 1.3km.
B5106 Caerhun to Llanrwst Road Ty’n-y-Groes
Road section is from a point 40m north of its junction with Glan-y-Wern to a point 50m north of B5279, a distance of 300m. Buffer speed limit with additional road markings at 20mph entry to Ty’n y Groes.
Road section is from a point 60m south of junction with Tir Llwyd Industrial Estate to a point 110m south of its junction with Chester Ave, a distance of 1km.
B5383 Rotary Way
Road section is from its junction with the Promenade to a point 12m north west of its junction with Abergele Road. Additional road markings possible at 20mph terminal points.