16/06/2023
Officers from Gwent's Roads Policing and Specialist Operations team are taking part in a seat belt campaign this week that highlights the importance of wearing seat belts.
The campaign, which is being run by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the European Roads Policing Network (ROADPOL), focuses on people not wearing seat belts and improper use of them when in a vehicle. The aim of the campaign is to increase awareness around the dangers of not wearing a seat belt and to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads of Gwent.
- in a crash, you are twice as likely to die if you don't wear a seat belt
- drivers and passengers aged 17 to 34 are most likely to not wear a seat belt
- the above age range also has the highest accident rate in the UK
- people are less likely to wear a seat belt on a short or familiar journey, which puts them at serious risk of injury should they crash.
Sergeant Gareth Williams, who is leading the campaign in Gwent, said, "Wearing a seat belt correctly is important to keep everyone in the vehicle safe, should they be involved in a road traffic collision.
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15/06/2023
Speaking on Clean Air Day, the Deputy Minister with responsibility for transport outlined how the huge investment would fund new and improved active travel routes across Wales.
Since 2018, the Welsh Government has increased active travel funding from £15m to £70m – now more than £22 for every person in Wales, compared to dedicated active travel spending in England of about £1 per head in the same period.
The Deputy Minister was speaking on a visit to Flintshire where he saw first-hand how people were making the most of the new Sandy Lane to Saltney Ferry active travel route.
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09/06/2023
The Welsh Government will invest £15m to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points across Wales. The funding, confirmed today by Deputy Climate Change Minister Lee Waters, will be used to help local authorities increase the number of charging facilities ahead of fossil fuel vehicles being phased out in 2030.
The new funding follows the £26m already invested in charging infrastructure across Wales since 2021 which has created more than 1,600 charging points – enough for one in six battery electric vehicles.
Deputy Minister, Lee Waters said, “Drivers need to have the confidence to make the switch to electric vehicles as demand increases and that’s why we are committed to creating high quality electric vehicle infrastructure across Wales.
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08/06/2023
Paul, a biker from Blackwood in south Wales, has been randomly selected as the winner of the Wales by Bike Prize Draw Survey.
Anyone who had completed a Welsh Government subsidised course was invited to fill in a survey and to be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win £250 from Road Safety Wales.
Welsh Government subsidised courses included:
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05/06/2023
Monmouthshire County Council is seeking views on two potential walking, cycling and wheeling routes between Usk and Little Mill/Mamhilad.
The current pedestrian route between Usk and Little Mill is alongside the A472, which in places narrows significantly and cyclists need to use the road. Potential alternative routes have been identified, as either an upgrade to the existing footway or along sections of the disused railway.
Here are a few of the reasons why a new route for those walking, wheeling or cycling is needed:
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30/05/2023
Longer semi-trailers (LSTs) will be introduced to Great Britain’s roads from the end of this month.
New regulations will allow longer trailers to be used, which the UK Government estimates will save thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (CO2(e)) being released into the atmosphere each year.
From Wednesday 31 May, vehicle operators will be able to tow LSTs measuring up to 2.05 meters longer than a standard semi-trailer. This follows an 11-year trial to ensure LSTs are used safely on roads, with operators being encouraged to put extra safety checks and training in place.
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25/05/2023
A public consultation on roads that could remain at 30mph when the new 20mph default speed limit for residential areas comes into force in September 2023, runs until June 7th.
Cardiff residents will be able to view an online map showing the roads which are currently proposed as exceptions to the national 20mph legislation. These are generally main arterial routes into the city.
Residents are asked to return their views on the proposed 30mph exemptions proposed by the council by June 7th by emailing roadtrafficorderobjections@cardiff.gov.uk. All comments on the exemptions will be considered before a final decision is made. Comments on the change in law to move to a 20mph national default position will not be considered, as the law has already been passed by the Senedd.
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24/05/2023
Monmouthshire County Council is seeking views on two potential walking, cycling and wheeling routes between Usk and Little Mill/Mamhilad. The current pedestrian route between Usk and Little Mill is alongside the A472, which in places narrows significantly and cyclists need to use the road. Potential alternative routes have been identified, as either an upgrade to the existing footway or along sections of the disused railway.
Here are a few of the reasons why a new route for those walking, wheeling or cycling is needed.
- Provide a direct, coherent, comfortable and attractive walking and cycling network suitable for all users
- Increase levels of sustainable access to education, employment health and other key services
- Improve actual and perceived safety of all users
- Increase the number of people walking and cycling between Usk, Little Mill and Mamhilad/New Inn
- Reduce car dependency and car use for short trips through a modal shift
- Reduce the negative impacts of transport on the natural and built environment (i.e., improve air quality, improve public realm, provide sustainable drainage infrastructure, etc.)
One route option is alongside the A472: Although space is limited in several locations, improvements along the current highway corridor have been identified to provide a shared use route. This would be a widening of the current pavement in several locations and improved crossing facilities.
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22/05/2023
Currently, there is an opportunity for local people to take part in a consultation to make it easier, safer, and more convenient for people to walk, wheel, and cycle in Bangor.
This scheme aims to improve the active travel infrastructure along Penrhos Road between Faenol Roundabout and Bangor Railway Station. This project is a collaboration between Transport for Wales and Cyngor Gwynedd with the support of WSP specialists to improve Penrhos Road to make the area more accessible for walkers and cyclists.
The proposed improvements to the scheme include, but are not limited to the following:
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18/05/2023
The local neighbourhood policing team in Talbot Green recently teamed up with roads policing officers, the Road Safety and Commercial Vehicle Unit and the Driving & Vehicle Standards Agency to tackle speeding and anti-social driving.
Operation Buena took place on last month, and resulted in over 30 vehicles being pulled over by the team. A further 17 drivers are also being dealt with using a postal Notice of Impending Prosecution.
Officers focused their attention on the A4119 – a known hot spot for reports of speeding vehicles and inconsiderate driving and they pulled vehicles over to where DVSA officers were ready to carry out inspections.
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