illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution have prompted the Welsh government to announce a speed limit reduction over five major stretches of road.
By lowering the speed limit to 50mph on two sections of the M4 motorway, as well as parts of the A494, the A483 and the A470, the Welsh government hopes to bring about an 18 per cent reduction in harmful emissions.
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The new reductions are to come into force in the next two months, and are expected to bring about “immediate results”. One section of the M4 near Port Talbot is already subject to a 50mph speed limit, which is being extended as part of the plans.
Wales’ minister for Environment, Hannah Blythyn, said: “I am thrilled to announce a package of procedures to improve air quality in Wales… I am committed to taking action to minimize air pollution in Wales to support a healthier future for our communities and secure our natural environment.”
Responding to the new limits, Steve Gooding, director of the RAC foundation said speed limits were being set with an inconsistent “patchwork” approach, adding: “Ironically there will be stretches of road where motorists actually struggle to reach anything like 50mph, and if there’s one thing worse for air quality than automobiles hurtling along at high speed, it’s where they sit nose to tail in jams.”