'However, figures published this week show injuries on the roads fell by a third in the final quarter of last year compared to the same period a year earlier. After a review, the Welsh government agreed to more 30mph exemptions but insisted that most roads should remain at 20mph.’
The hysteria about 20mph was just that - rabble rousing based on no attention to the details. That included Times reporting.
I should add that for 5 months of the year we live in the Scottish Borders (migrate north during the winter for reasons). We have had 20mph limits on most roads in towns and village for some years - actually a Conservative policy, supported by most - and it has made a noticeable difference to traffic and pedestrians during that time.