Councillors support Milford Road speed limit reduction

Town Councillors have backed a motion by Cllr Pete Lewington to request that the 40mph limit on Milford Road, be reduced to 30mph.

At their meeting on Monday night, town councillors have backed a motion by Cllr Pete Lewington, who is also the Powys County Councillor for Newtown West, which requests that the county council reduce the 40mph on Milford Road to 30mph.

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According to the accompanying paperwork, the motion builds on a previous motion introduced by Cllr Margaret Lewington which the council backed in support for safe travel on Milford Road.

Cllr Pete Lewington writes:

"In a residents’ survey that I undertook in 2023 95% of residents said 40mph is NOT a safe speed for this stretch of road. Of these respondents 76% felt 30mph would be a safe speed limit and 24% felt 20mph would be a safe speed limit. So, I can confirm that there is widespread local support for reducing the speed limit and as the county councillor for this ward I have formally requested that the 40mph speed limit be reduced to 30mph as soon as possible."

"I have been advised that this cannot be undertaken as part of the current revisions to the 20mph speed limits. However, the Welsh Government have indicated that they intend to update the 2009 guidance relating to the setting of speed limits in Wales, but they have also indicated that their new guidance will not be published until April 2025 at the soonest."

"Consequently, I would ask the town council to write to Powys County Council formally requesting the introduction of a lower 30mph speed limit for this section of Milford Road and to ask Powys County Council to ensure this request is logged for review at a future date once the Welsh Government modifies its current speed limit guidance."

"The Town Council’s support coupled with the support of myself as the ward county councillor and the wider support of local residents would not only demonstrate the depth of support within the local community but highlight the very valid safetyconcerns meaning that there is an urgent need for action to be taken to make this stretch of road safer for our residents of all ages."

Town councillors agreed and backed the motion.