Report Calls for Investment in Local Road Bypasses and Greater 20mph Flexibility Across Wales

A major infrastructure report has challenged current Welsh Government transport policies, calling for multi-billion pound investments to tackle severe bottlenecks and hand 20mph decision-making powers back to local authorities.

The newly published paper, “Getting Wales back on track” by independent think tank Centre, argues that national net-zero travel targets are undermining economic growth. It urges a policy shift to back critical regional road schemes, support local bypasses, and improve national connectivity.

The report highlights a growing disconnect between central government spending and local community needs. It specifically calls for the green-lighting of long-delayed county road improvements, including the Llanbedr bypass scheme, to alleviate severe village congestion.

A key recommendation in the report seeks to curtail the Welsh Government’s current power of veto over county councils. The think tank argues that local authorities should have complete flexibility to revert 20mph speed limits on roads where communities feel the restrictions are inappropriate.

Report author William Burrows stated that infrastructure bottlenecks are having a damaging impact on the wider Welsh economy. He highlighted how previous decisions to cancel major transport schemes due to climate targets have actively cost the country billions of pounds in lost business benefits.

Currently, national transport strategy aims to reduce individual car mileage by 10% by 2030, while pushing for nearly 40% of all journeys to be made via sustainable transport.

However, the report warns that restricting road investment threatens rural and regional economies that rely heavily on car and freight transit. It concludes that building resilient, modern road networks is essential to prevent communities from being cut off during severe weather and to safeguard regional trade.