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St Dogmaels has been chosen as one of eight pilot settlements from across Wales to trial a 20mph speed limit throughout the whole village.

The trial is part of Welsh Government plans to reduce the national speed limit on restricted roads of 30mph to 20mph by April 2023.

Cllr Phil Baker, Pembrokeshire’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Infrastructure, said the pilot project was a unique opportunity for St Dogmaels to represent small rural communities, of which Pembrokeshire has many.

“This is an amazing opportunity to trial some of the consultation and monitoring methods and provide feedback to Welsh Government on their effectiveness,” he said.

“Reducing speeds leads to fewer accidents and saves lives,” he added. "It also creates greater space for safer active travel within communities, which not only boosts people’s quality of life but also has a positive effect on the environment.”

Local member Cllr Mike James said; “As a village, St. Dogmaels is delighted to be involved with the Welsh Government pilot to reduce the National Speed Limit on restricted roads of 30mph to 20mph by 2023.

“20 is plenty is our aim and I thank all the volunteers in the village who have been working so hard to gather information. I thank Pembrokeshire County Council officers for attending meetings, walking the village and then putting a bid together to Welsh Government.

“I hope that working together with Welsh Government will help many other rural villages across Wales to be safer after 2023.”

The other pilot settlements in Wales are Abergavenny, Central North Cardiff, Severnside in Monmouthshire, Buckley in Flintshire, Cilfriw in Neath Port Talbot, St Brides Major in Vale of Glamorgan and Llanelli North.

The aim of the pilot is to make an early start on developing the various processes needed to implement nationwide 20mph limit in 2023 and to evaluate what impact it is likely to have when it is rolled out. It also aims to support the creation of an enforcement strategy in partnership with the police and GoSafe.