Exceptions to the new 20mph speed limit for built up areas across Wales which came into force across Vale of Glamorgan on Sunday (17 September) have been given the go ahead.

Ahead of the 20mph scheme's implementation, local authorities across the country were told to prepare a list of proposed exceptions to the rule.

Some proposed exceptions in Vale of Glamorgan were criticised by members of the public and local councillors during a consultation excercise that took palce from June 22 to July 19.

One section of Harbour Road in Barry, which will be a part of the 30mph exception, is said to be dangerous to cyclists according to one objector and that keeping it 30mph would be a "mockery" of the council's active travel ambitions.

Ward member for Baruc, Cllr Steffan Wiliam, said vehicles come "careering down the hill around the bend" on Harbour Road when a report on the exceptions was discussed by a scrutiny committee on July 18.

The A48 going through St Nicholas was also put forward as one of the exceptions, but residents there argue it should be a 20mph zone due to the speed of the traffic coming through the village and the narrow pavements which go alongside the road.

In the council's objections report, one cyclist said they "daily have close passes going eastbound through St Nicholas" and local ward member, Cllr Ian Perry said exempting the road means residents will be exposed to loud noise and "high volumes of traffic travelling at threatening speeds close to narrow, unprotected footways".

The councillor added: "The decision to exempt St Nicholas undermines the Vale's Active Travel proposals that are justified by the numbers of people cycling the A48 and the potential for more people to cycle this route."

Vale of Glamorgan Council said that high volumes of motor traffic does not pass the Government test for exceptions from the default 20mph and that the A48 route is an emergency diversion route for the M4.

The local authority added that the 30mph exceptions will remain on Harbour Road and Broad Street in Barry as these areas do not meet the necessary criteria in Welsh Government guidance.

However, there were some proposals that the council decided to look at again.

There were a total of 193 responses to the council's consultation, and following the excercise, the council said it has proposed five changes to its original Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the introduction of 20mph.

These include:

• West Farm Road (part), Ogmore-by-Sea – removal of 20 mph
• Cardiff Road, Dinas Powys – extension of default to 20 mph
• St Nicholas Road, and Park Avenue Barry – default to 20 mph
• Ewenny Cross Corntown and Ewenny – default to 20 mph
• Windsor Road (between Plassey Street and Marconi Avenue) – default to 20mph

Vale of Glamorgan Council said it will monitor the new speed limits on all of the exception roads, take on board any future comments or concerns and determine whether changes should be made.

Leader of Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cllr Lis Burnett, said: "There are an awful lot of areas that are in the balance… we are only going to find that out over time.

"There are some that might not work, but there are other areas that we might want to give a 20mph following a review."