Last Sunday the default speed limit for 30mph roads changed in Wales to 20mph with what the Welsh Government, in particular Lee Waters MS, claimed was overwhelming support across the board but it appears he may have been a little off the mark.
As the change happened a petition appeared on the Senedds petition site which in less than a week reached 350,000 signatures showing a massive outpouring of disapproval for the scheme.
Lee Waters rightly pointed out that all parties had voted for the scheme although, he failed to mention that the vote was for a 20mph limit near schools and built-up residential areas such as housing estates not a default change of 30mph roads across Wales in Cities and Villages throughout.
So did Lee Waters MS take onboard this outpouring from the people of Wales? No, his preferred option was to try and debunk the petition claiming it was largely people outside Wales signing it and it wasn’t valid. (and then to block anyone who disagrees with him!).
He also has employed Welsh propaganda master Will Hayward of Wales Online to “fight his corner” with laughable reporting of incorrect data and faux support.
Using the government’s own JSON Raw data, all but around 6.2% of signatures are from Wales.
Their next move was to commission a survey using a company called Redfield & Wilton Strategies which “aims to get the answer you want”. The survey found 46% in favour as opposed to only 34% that didn’t. However, this excluded don’tknow/either and came off the back of a very skewed question, clearly designed to “get the answer they want”.
Lee Waters of course rolled this out on social media claiming victory.
Less than 24 hours later though an independent poll by YouGov showed a very different result, and one Lee Waters was literally tamping about!
This poll found that 72% of respondents in Wales were actively opposed to the default change and more importantly, that figure spanned across all age groups. Only 11% actively supported it.
Again, Lee Waters has apparently put his fingers in his ears and ignored the voice of the people of Wales instead choosing to point out that it will “hypothetically” save 10 lives per year.
At what cost though? The Welsh Government’s own report on the effects of the change says that it cost the Welsh Economy up to £6.4bn over 30 years, a £210m a year hit that this country can ill-afford.
Confidence in Lee Waters (who previously operated the cycling campaign group Sustrans in Wales) is diminishing by the minute and his constantly debunked claims on social media, and in some cases outright lies, show he is a man under extreme pressure with his only ally being First Minister Mark Drakeford, another anti-car advocate but other politicians are starting to see opportunities.
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has been among those calling on the Welsh Government to review this policy as a matter of urgency and listen to the voice of what has steamrolled into massive opposition to the draconian policy.
Will it happen? Given the Welsh Government’s past refusal to listen to the people of Wales in favour of forcing their ideas who knows but the bad news for Lee Waters is this is not going away.
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