Councillor Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, has approved the initiation of a Traffic Regulation Order consultation to reduce the speed limit on the A4811 Llanidloes Road in Newtown from 40mph to 30mph. This decision, made under delegated authority, follows a report from Traffic Officer North, Highways & Technical Services. If no significant objections are received during the consultation, the proposal will be implemented.

A4811 Llanidloes Road Speed Limit Modification

The decision was made to initiate the Traffic Regulation Order consultation procedure for a proposed new 30mph speed limit along the A4811 Llanidloes Road between the college campus and the Newtown Bypass roundabout. If no substantive objections are received, the proposal will be implemented.

The rationale behind this decision is to align the speed limit with the changing environment of the road, taking into account new residential and commercial developments. Two new housing developments, the Maes Dulais development and the Penson Gardens development, have either been constructed or are under construction along Llanidloes Road. Additionally, outline planning consent has been granted for a commercial development that includes a petrol filling station, restaurant with drive-thru, hotel, and public house.

Condition 17 of the outline planning consent 22/0767/OUT stipulates that a traffic scheme along the A4811, including speed limits, signage, and lighting, must be submitted and approved by the Local Planning Authority before the commercial development can commence. Road Safety Audits support the implementation of a 30mph speed limit due to the increased residential and commercial activity in the area.

The developer of the commercial site has already paid the council's fee to process the traffic regulation order and will cover all costs associated with the highway modifications, signage, and carriageway markings required to implement the new speed limit.

The council's statement of reasons ¹ explains that the new speed limit aims to:

introduce speed limits that better reflect the nature and use of this section of road where drivers will regularly have to adjust their speed and behaviour because of the multiple access points, bus stops and crossing points along this section of the A4811. The proposed speed limits are also expected to encourage a shift from cars to active travel ² modes like walking and cycling for shorter journeys, by improving safety.

The existing 2019 Traffic Regulation Order³ will be updated to reflect these changes.

Financial, Legal, and Climate Change Implications

All costs associated with the traffic order consultation and implementation will be covered by the developer. The Head of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer) has confirmed that the proposal represents value for money, as it secures necessary infrastructure improvements at no cost to the council.

The Property Lawyer North has reviewed the proposal and confirmed its appropriateness, provided that procedures are correctly followed. The Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer support the recommendation.

The council believes the new speed limit will lead to a gentler driving style with more gradual acceleration and deceleration, which will help to reduce traffic emissions and noise.

Local Member Support

Councillors Karl Lewis, Kelly Healy, and David Selby have all expressed their support for the new speed limit proposal within their wards.