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North Wales has seen a sharp reduction in enforceable GoSafe speed camera sites following the introduction of a default 20mph speed limit across Wales in September 2023.<\/p>\n
At the latest North Wales Police and Crime Panel meeting, Superintendent Barrasford provided an update on the enforcement impact and road safety outcomes linked to the change.<\/p>\n
Previously, GoSafe operated at 220 camera sites monitoring 30mph zones, but this number has fallen to just nine sites enforcing 20mph limits. <\/p>\n
This reduction is partly due to the need for updated traffic orders and compliant signage, many of which have suffered vandalism.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe short nature of some speed limit zones also created a problem,\u201d Supt Barrasford said, explaining that enforcement requires a minimum 400-metre stretch, and some 20mph zones are too short for this.<\/p>\n
The panel was reminded that Wales was the first UK nation to implement a default 20mph speed limit across urban areas, a world-first change. <\/p>\n
Despite this, the policy met opposition, including a petition with over half a million signatures and some public protests with damage to speed limit signs.<\/p>\n
Operation Ugain, launched in January 2024 and funded by the Welsh Government, involves police and fire services educating or fining drivers in 20mph zones. <\/p>\n
Between January and April 2024, Ugain had 462 visits across North Wales, monitoring 130,000 vehicles. <\/p>\n
Of these, 98% complied with the speed limit and 2,840 drivers were stopped. <\/p>\n
Nearly all stopped drivers, 99.5%, engaged with a ten-minute road safety presentation, with only 14 drivers receiving a report for summons.<\/p>\n
The threshold for stopping under Operation Ugain is 26mph, with vehicles travelling below this not being stopped.<\/p>\n
Despite good compliance, some extreme speeding incidents were highlighted. <\/p>\n
The highest recorded speed at a 20mph fixed camera site was 83mph in Mynydd Isa, leading to a six-month driving disqualification and significant fines. <\/p>\n
Other cases include a 51mph reading from a mobile unit in Denbighshire, currently before the courts, and a 61mph reading from Community Speed Watch volunteers in Mold.<\/p>\n
Collision data from 2024 shows positive safety trends. <\/p>\n
Serious casualties decreased by 19% and slight injuries fell by 43% compared to the previous year. <\/p>\n
Recent figures from September 2024 to April 2025 also indicated a 17.6% reduction in serious collisions and a 48.6% drop in slight injuries.<\/p>\n
However, Supt Barrasford cautioned against drawing conclusions on fatal collisions, noting other factors can contribute to crashes.<\/p>\n
Flintshire was highlighted for its high enforcement figures, attributed to a strong static camera network and recorded instances of significant speeding.<\/p>\n
Cllr Gail Emery stressed the need for continued public awareness, especially for visitors unfamiliar with the new limit. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe majority of people are thinking they\u2019re abiding by the law,\u201d she said, adding more work was needed to inform visitors crossing the border from England.<\/p>\n
Despite some initial resistance, Supt Barrasford noted, \u201cThe vast majority of public that officers engage with are supportive of the scheme.\u201d <\/p>\n
He added that criminal damage to 20mph signs has decreased significantly, though some historic damage still hampers enforcement.<\/p>\n