A FULL list of the roads to be reduced to 20mph default speed limits in Carmarthenshire has been released by Carmarthenshire County Council.

The new 20mph speed limit will come into force across Wales on Sunday, September 17, and will affect roads and streets that lead onto and through residential and built-up areas.

Carmarthenshire has already introduced 20mph limits in some areas, including in front of schools, but this new law will see 398 roads in Carmarthenshire be reduced to 20mph.

The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 says that it is not lawful to drive a on a restricted road at more than 30mph. That will be amended to 20mph.

There will also be reductions in speed limits on a further 263 roads, which will have their speed limit lowered to 30mph.

An extensive list of the roads which affected will be published in this week’s South Wales Guardian which is on sale from Wednesday, September 13.

The legislation to impose the new default speed limit was passed by the Welsh Government in July, however it has been met with widespread opposition.

The Welsh Government forged ahead with its plans, claiming the default limit will make the roads safer by reducing the likelihood of collisions, injury and death.

Reducing speed will not only save lives but will help build stronger, safer communities, Deputy Climate Change Minister Lee Waters has said.

The change comes after four years of work with local authorities, police and road safety experts to design a change in law, making Wales the first UK nation to reset the default speed limit for local roads.

The Deputy Minister with responsibility for transport said: "Evidence shows that a vehicle travelling at 30mph will still be travelling at 24mph in the time it would take a car travelling 20mph to stop.

"Reducing speed not only saves lives; it will help build stronger, safer communities - better places to live our lives."

First Minister Mark Drakeford added: "Our streets will be quieter, reducing the scourge of noise pollution, and slower speeds also boosts the confidence of people to cycle and walk around their local areas and for children to play outdoors.

"Evidence from around the world is clear – reducing speed limits reduces collisions and saves lives.

"I am confident if we all work together, we can make the necessary changes that will benefit us now and in the future."

The South Wales Guardian edition of September 13 will have the full list of roads to be affected by changes.