06 September 2023 , 11:35
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Cheeky vandals in Wales have been using peel-off numbers to create crude images on newly-installed 20mph signs that are hated by locals.
This latest wave of vandalism comes as the country prepares for a nationwide rollout of new default speed limit zones. To expedite the implementation process, new 20mph road signs were initially covered with 30mph stickers, intended to be removed on or after the rollout date of September 17. However, this strategy has inadvertently provided an opportunity for pranksters to cause confusion among drivers.
The mischievous vandals have been prematurely removing stickers from the soon-to-be-introduced signs, causing them to display incorrect limits. This trend of tomfoolery has spread across the region, with the culprits now resorting to creating phallically-themed designs, reports North Wales Live.
One such sign on Henrhyd Road in Conwy, like many others across the region, has had its '3' peeled off and repositioned below the '0', forming a lewd image. The vandals' amusement may be short-lived though, as local councils have been swift in restoring the tampered signs.
One speed lmit sign affected by the latest attack is one on Henrhyd Road in Conwy (UGC)Flintshire Council, among others, has issued a stern warning that those responsible could face prosecution for criminal damage. Meanwhile, in Spon Green, Buckley, residents were left scratching their heads as council workers were seen removing existing 20mph signs and painting over 20mph road markings, adding to the overall confusion.
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Existing 20mph signs will become redundant once the default 20mph speed limits are legislated on September 17. These signs, which were previously exceptions, will no longer hold relevance. Local authorities have been given a 12-month window to dismantle signs indicating entry and exit at 20mph zones.
The smaller round 20mph signs, often found attached to lampposts or their own posts within 20mph zones, have a longer grace period for removal, with councils having until September 17, 2028, to take these down. The same five-year grace period applies to 20mph road markings.
Updated cost estimates reveal that the signage replacement across Wales, calculated at 2022 prices, amounts to a hefty £21.9m. However, a more realistic estimate, accounting for unforeseen circumstances, is projected at £26.7m.
The Welsh Government advocates for the 20mph defaults in built-up areas, arguing it will significantly reduce pollution and the number of serious crashes. A government report supports this claim, concluding that 20mph zones will have minimal impact on journey times. However, the Welsh Government's own analysis suggests there could be an economic impact.
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