The Welsh Assembly Government has ruled out any funding for a speed-limit review it asked local authorities to carry out by 2015.

WAG’s new guidance last October on setting local speed limits superseded a previous circular and outlined the WAG’s priority actions. It says: ‘Highway authorities are asked to review the speed limits on all of their A and B roads, and implement any necessary changes, by 31 December 2014.’ Local authorities should also consider the use of speed management measures, where appropriate on their other roads.

John Bradbury, Wrexham CBC’s chief environment officer, said: ‘The requirement to review all speed limits on A and B roads will place additional pressures on already stretched resources.’ The cost for Wrexham CBC was estimated at £350,000.

Wrexham had tried to obtain funding via the Regional Transport Plan, submitted to WAG by the Taith consortium of North Wales authorities. Although the bid was rejected, Taith continues to press WAG for funding support through the RTP planning process.

However, Welsh transport minister Ieuan Wyn Jones has written to Wrexham CBC: ‘It was not the intention to fund this review as it is a statutory duty for local authorities to ensure the safety of highway users.’ He said last October’s document had guidance status only. ‘There is no mandatory requirement for local authorities to review their speed limits.’

Mr Bradbury said £37,000 had been identified within Wrexham’s cash limited budget to start the speed-limit review. He added: ‘Wrexham’s success in responding to its statutory duty in respect of road safety can be measured in part by the progress made towards delivery of the national targets for casualty reduction set by WAG in 2000.’