Newslink September 2023

For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com
Wales’s experiment with a
nationwide 20mph limit could be
another sign of things to come
Colin Lilly
Editor,
Newslink
On September 17 new legislation will come
into force in Wales that will reduce the speed
limit on most urban residential roads from
30mph down to 20mph.
Many towns and cities around the UK have
experienced the introduction of 20mph limits
on some areas. When this has happened
driver trainers have adapted their lessons to
provide as wide a range of experience to their
clients as possible. However, this is the first
time that it has happened on a nationwide
scale.
Whatever affects driver training will affect
driving tests in turn. So, from Bridgend to
Bangor, driving tests will have to adapt to
meet the requirements of an approved test.
Now many of you will be thinking how will
this affect me if I do not operate in Wales?
Well, it is worth bearing in mind that in 2025
Scotland is planning to introduce the same
legislation. If the schemes prove to be
successful, it is not beyond the bounds of
possibility that England will follow suit.
It is estimated that the scheme will save
six to ten lives a year and 1,200 to 2,000
injuries a year. This is based on studies made
following the introduction of widespread
20mph zones in London, Hull and Bristol.
To say not everyone is in favour of the
scheme is an understatement. Even now,
with just weeks to go, petitions are being
organised and drivers are displaying large red
ribbons on the grill of their cars, the
significance of the red ribbons is a link to the
man with the red flag during the early days of
motoring.
It is unlikely that these protests will change
plans, however, as the Welsh Government
has already invested £60 million into the
scheme, including £26 million on signage.
I would like to ask members in Wales
whether they are for, against or just
accepting this plan, to share your experiences
with Newslink.
n Have your lessons had to be extended in
duration?
n Has your lesson mileage increased?
n Has the travel time between lessons
been affected?
n Have your lesson prices been affected?
n Have your pupils experienced bullying
from non-compliant drivers? Experience has
shown it will happen.
n How have your pupils adapted to the
change of environment?
n If you have pupils who have taken a
driving test, have the routes changed
significantly?
n Has the test duration been affected?
If you have any experiences to share,
please e-mail them to editor@msagb.com.
One of the benefits of any association is a
sharing of experience.
Welcome to your
digital, interactive
Newslink
See a pale blue box in any article or
on an advert? It it contains a web
address or email, it’s interactive. Just
click and it will take you to the
appropriate web page or email so you
can find more details easier.
You’ll also find these panels across
the magazine: just click for more
information on any given subject.
To get the
full story,
click here
How to access this
magazine
You can read Newslink in three ways:
Go online and read the interactive
magazine on the Yumpu website; or,
if you would like to read it when you
don’t have a mobile signal or WiFi,
you can download the magazine to
your tablet, PC or phone to read at
your leisure. Alternatively, a pdf can
be found on the MSA GB website, at
www.msagb.com
Follow the link
MSA GB sends
you to access
Newslink,
and then just
click Download
(circled above)
to save a copy
on your device
MSA GB Annual Conference 2024:
Prices and venue announced
Time to get the
weekend cleared....
Venue and pricing
details released.
See pg 6 and full prices,
on pg 24
COVER STORY
While London
argues over ULEZ,
ADIs ask what is
it’s likely impact
on me – and is
there a good news
story lurking
behind the media
storm? - pg 12 & 20
NEWSLINK n SEPTEMBER 2023 03