Welsh Government minister Lee Waters has issued a new statement over the new 20mph speed limit in Wales after meeting council leaders. The new default limit for most roads that were 30mph came in just over a month ago and the legislation has been the most controversial ever introduced since devolution in 1999.

It has seen a petition with more than 460,000 signatures, signs vandalised, and go-slow protests on the A55. Despite the backlash and polls showing a strong majority opposed to the limit there's no sign of the Welsh Government reversing the policy.

But the Deputy Minister for Climate Change Mr Waters today met council leaders, cabinet members and transport officers from across Wales to discuss the implementation of 20mph in their areas and how things could be improved.

Tell us how the 20mph speed limit has affected you - one month on

He said they will respect that feedback and that Welsh Government would work collaboratively with local highway authorities to reflect on the application of the guidance in different parts of Wales. Mr Waters also said they would look at the approach taken to roads on the threshold between 20mph and 30mph, as well as supporting councils where they are keen to rapidly address obvious anomalies.

His statement said: "This was an opportunity to reflect on the nationwide roll-out, share good practice, and explore opportunities for collaboration. I also placed on record my heartfelt thanks to our partners in local government for their continued support. They have dealt with a colossal task: the culmination of years of debate and discussion, extensive trials, and many months of intensive preparatory work ahead of the Wales-wide launch on 17 September.

"This is an important change, and it will take some time to bed in. That is partly a logistical challenge. Changing road signs at this pace and scale is an unprecedented undertaking and that has been compounded by the totally unacceptable vandalism of signs we have seen in some places.

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"This action will not lead to a change in the policy and the default speed limit but is a waste of scarce resources and officer time when councils are contending with a range of different pressures."

He added: "Despite calls from some, the message from highway authorities in Wales has been very clear – we want to allow time for the new speeds to settle before making changes to the exceptions guidance. We will respect that feedback and have agreed to work collaboratively with local highway authorities to reflect on the application of the guidance in different parts of Wales. We will also look at the approach taken to roads on the threshold between 20mph and 30mph, as well as supporting councils where they are keen to rapidly address obvious anomalies.

"This work, and our wider dialogue with local authorities on the implementation of 20mph, will help establish whether clarifications are needed to encourage greater consistency across Wales, and we will aim to share learnings and feedback by the end of the year. I’m also grateful for the continued support of Phil Jones - and the expert panel he leads - for their offer to provide advice and support directly to local authorities, over this post-implementation period.

"Finally, we have agreed to be flexible with the funding available to councils this financial year, and the next, so that they have the resources they need to continue supporting the delivery of this important change."

Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister Natasha Asghar MS said: "Contrary to him and his party’s delusions the 20mph limit is becoming more and more unpopular by the day, with a recent poll showing nearly 60% of people oppose the costly policy.

“Labour has repeatedly claimed that introducing 20mph speed limits will add just 1 minute onto journey times. Yet, bus companies are cutting services down due to the impact of the ludicrous policy, with one major bus operator saying the scheme is adding an extra 12 minutes each way onto journeys between Caernarfon, Bangor and Llandudno.

“I put it to the Deputy Minister, given this policy has been a complete mess from the very beginning, will he finally listen to the Welsh public and scrap this scheme before it does anymore unnecessary damage. Unfortunately, he continues to think he knows better than the people of Wales.”