Explanatory Memorandum to The M4 Motorway (Eastbound and Westbound Exit Slip Roads at Junction 33 (Capel Llanilltern), Cardiff) (40 MPH Speed limit) Regulations 2018

This Explanatory Memorandum has been prepared by the Department for Economic Infrastructure and is laid before the National Assembly for Wales in conjunction with the above subordinate legislation and in accordance with Standing Order 27.1.

Minister’s Declaration

In my view, this Explanatory Memorandum gives a fair and reasonable view of the expected impact of The M4 Motorway (Eastbound and Westbound Exit Slip Roads at Junction 33 (Capel Llanilltern), Cardiff) (40 MPH Speed limit) Regulations 2018. I am satisfied that the benefits outweigh any costs.

Ken Skates

Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport

25 May 2018

1. Description

These Regulations introduce, on safety grounds, a reduction of the maximum speed limit, on lengths of the eastbound and westbound exit slip roads of the M4 Motorway at Junction 33 (Capel Llanilltern) in the City and County of Cardiff specified as follows:

(i) the westbound exit slip road that extends from a point 275 metres east of its junction with the A4232 Capel Llanilltern roundabout to its junction with that roundabout; and

(ii) the eastbound exit slip road that extends from a point 200 metres west of its junction with the A4232 Capel Llanilltern roundabout to its junction with that roundabout.

2. Matters of special interest to the Subordinate Legislation Committee

None.

3. Legislative Background

The powers enabling this instrument to be made are under Sections 17(2),(3) and (3ZAA) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (RTRA). These give the Welsh Ministers the power to make Regulations with respect to particular special roads such as motorways and for regulating the speed of vehicles on such roads, so far as they are exercisable in relation to Wales. 

      This instrument is to be made following the negative procedure.

4. Purpose and intended effect of the legislation

These Regulations allow for the operation and enforcement of a 40 MPH mandatory speed limit in relation to the lengths of the M4 specified in regulation 3 of the Regulations. The lengths comprise the approaches of both westbound and eastbound exit slip roads to the A4232 Capel Llanilltern Roundabout circulatory carriageway, and are necessary to reduce the speed of traffic on the approach to existing traffic signals to meet guidance given in ‘Traffic Advisory Leaflet 2/03 - Signal Control at Junctions on High Speed Roads’.  The use of the mandatory 40 MPH speed limit is an essential part of the proposal to improve road safety for users of the M4 and A4232. 

As part of the overall proposals at this junction a related permanent 40mph traffic order has been put in place on the northbound, southbound and circulatory carriageways of the A4232 at Junction 33.

5. Implementation

If this legislation were to be annulled safety on this stretch of the M4 Motorway would be compromised. This Instrument has a coming into force date of 18 June 2018.

 6. Consultation

In accordance with Section 134 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the views of representative organisations and groups were sought between 25 January 2018 and 15 February 2018 (3 week period).

The list of consultees and summary of any responses is attached at Annex A.

7. REGULATORY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

A regulatory impact assessment has not been produced as these   Regulations are being introduced for highway safety reasons and have no impact on the costs of business.

ANNEX A

SCHEDULE OF CONSULTATION

Organisation	Response
City and County of Cardiff Council	No comment
Clerk to Pentyrch Community Council	No comment
South Wales Police	No comment
South Wales Fire & Rescue Service HQ	No comment
Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust	No comment
Road Haulage Association Ltd.	No comment
Freight Transport Association	No comment
NAVTEQ	No comment
Trafficmaster Travel	No comment
South Wales Trunk Road Agent Manager	No comment
‘Go Safe’	No comment
Ministry of Justice	No comment
HERE	No comment