Mr Mills made the call during a Reform UK debate in the Senedd on Wednesday, 30 September, arguing that the policy should be judged on its impact on road safety, its economic consequences, and whether a blanket national limit is proportionate.

He referenced the latest Department for Transport road casualty statistics, which show that 91 people were killed on Welsh roads in 2025, nine per cent higher than in 2024, while 1,361 people were killed or seriously injured which is the highest annual figure since 2019.

Mr Mills acknowledged that the rise in casualties cannot be attributed solely to roads subject to the 20mph limit but the figures should prompt the Welsh Government to examine whether its overall approach is delivering the intended improvement in road safety.

He drew attention to the Welsh Government’s original assessment which identified an economic disbenefit of up to £8.9 billion associated with longer journey times under the default 20mph policy and called for an updated economic appraisal of the policy. while the Senedd petition calling for the policy to be rescinded received 469,571 signatures, the largest petition in the Senedd’s history.

He concluded his remarks claiming that the policy lacked an evidential basis in addition to lacking public support, pointing to the Senedd petition calling for the policy to be rescinded which received 469,571 signatures.

MS for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, David Mills
MS for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, David Mills. (.)

Following his contribution in the Senedd, David Mills MS said: "The latest figures should give the Welsh Government pause for thought, because three years into this policy we need to look honestly at whether it is delivering the improvements in road safety that were promised.

"Nobody disputes the need for safer roads, but a default 20mph limit across thousands of miles is a blunt instrument that doesn’t target dangerous roads, poor road design, or dangerous driving.

"The Welsh Government’s own assessment identified a potential economic cost running into the billions, so combined with the minimal effect on injuries and deaths, the trade-off simply isn’t worth it.

"They need to accept that default 20mph was a failed venture and revert back to a common-sense approach where 20mph limits remain only where appropriate.”

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