I drove through village with ‘most prolific speed | Tech News

Since a overwhelming majority of 30mph roads in Wales have been modified to 20mph two years in the past, there was an increase in drivers caught exceeding the speed restrict. But nowhere is that this more evident than in a small and largely unknown village the place a digicam has develop into the nation’s most prolific, impacting the wallets of 1000’s of drivers.

The statistics paint a clear image about this speed ‘lure’ in Pontybodkin, Flintshire within the north-east of Wales. In 2024, there have been 13,442 offences at this spot wherein drivers exceeded the 26mph threshold when enforcement begins.

To put it into perspective, simply over 85,000 motorists have been caught breaking the 20mph speed restrict throughout the entire of Wales. This means this single digicam accounted for round 16% of all fines in Wales. And within the first 5 months of 2025, more than 5,000 offences have been detected on the similar location, reviews North Wales Live.

One instance of these caught out was a courier who was pinged 10 occasions on this stretch of the A5104 within a few weeks. The digicam was solely put in shortly earlier than the new default restrict was launched, making it troublesome to check with when this highway had a 30mph restrict.

Intrigued by the high quantity of drivers being caught out on this stretch, I determined to take a drive to the realm myself. One factor I observed on the method is that the neighbouring village of Treuddyn has a 40mph restrict, although the part of the A5104 highway that goes Treuddyn doesn’t run instantly through the village centre.

Upon reaching the outskirts of Pontybodkin, you enter a 30mph zone which then drops to 20mph as you method the village centre. It’s clearly marked as a 20mph zone upon entry from this facet, so there’s little excuse for not realizing the restrict.

However, a additional signal that includes a speed digicam warning and a 20mph reminder simply forward of the digicam is obscured by bushes. It was solely when I walked previous to take a picture that I observed this explicit signal.

From the other direction, there’s additionally a signal and digicam warning as you enter the village. I should confess, I initially mistook a small yellowish box shortly after this for the speed digicam — I surprise if different drivers have made the identical error?

So, whereas the indicators are current, does it really feel like a 20mph highway? The village options a long straight stretch, and I can simply see how speeds may creep above 26mph. Unlike in densely populated areas, this speed restrict felt instinctively too gradual for this stretch.

I’m right here particularly for this function, so I’m very acutely aware of sustaining a speed at or under 20mph. However, if it wasn’t my major focus, I can see how one would possibly inadvertently exceed 25mph with out feeling like they’re driving too fast, particularly on a clear day with good visibility.

There’s no faculty within the village centre however there may be a playground, which is satisfactorily shielded from the highway by a sturdy fence. Additionally, there’s a zebra crossing.

The space was comparatively quiet during my go to, with few pedestrians and no cyclists; it isn’t a bustling village centre.

Approaching from the other direction, you’re feeling as if you have handed the village centre earlier than reaching the enforcement level, which can tempt some to speed up barely.

The location of the digicam itself is moderately inconspicuous, doubtless contributing to the high quantity of drivers caught out. It’s one of the new-style cameras that does not require highway markings, and the gear is way smaller than the standard speed digicam containers. Unless you are particularly searching for it (like me), it may simply go unnoticed.

Contrast this with the speed digicam in Sychdyn, close to Mold, and the distinction is stark. Frankly, you’d need to be on one other planet to overlook the warnings and digicam there however that is definitely not the case right here.

So, ought to the speed restrict stay at 20mph?

Supporters of the new default 20mph restrict can spotlight the lower in collisions, accidents and fatalities on Welsh roads since its implementation.

However, the statistics for this particular stretch don’t assist the protection argument. A Freedom of Information request revealed that there have been two minor harm collisions on this part within the 12 months earlier than the restrict change.

The 12 months following the introduction noticed one severe harm crash on the identical stretch.

This location was among the many many roads Flintshire council stated it might contemplate reverting back to a 30mph restrict after Welsh Government steering modified. I’m stunned that they’ve determined to keep this one as is, following their review.

When you see an anomaly like this in phrases of the quantity of penalties issued, it suggests one thing is not fairly proper.

Personally, I consider this must be a 30mph highway and the figures point out that many others instinctively really feel the identical.

I assume they need to rethink this one.

If not, then they need to improve the warning signage close to the digicam, or a minimum of guarantee the prevailing signal is stored clear of foliage.

Considering the accident statistics do not assist the highway security argument, it is troublesome to not empathise with those that view this as merely a money cow for drivers.