Protesters have demonstrated against the blanket 20mph speed limit in Wales (Image: Getty Images)

       The Labour government in Wales has paid more than ￡3million in recent years to a charity that is vocally supportive of its controversial plans to bring in a 20mph speed limit.

       The revelation following a Freedom of Information request has been condemned by Welsh Conservatives as "essentially paying for support for the 20mph rollout".

       Sustrans has been a strong and consistent supporter of the scheme, arguing that those who disagreed with it "accept death and injury as a standard" on roads.

       The sustainable transport charity once employed Lee Waters, who is now the minister in charge of driving forward the 20mph speed limit.

       However, the new speed limit has proven to be increasingly unpopular, with nearly half a million people signing a petition against it and polls suggesting most Welsh voters - including those who previously backed Labour - oppose the scheme.

       Stay up-to-date with the latest Politics news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

       Lee Waters, right, with Nicola Sturgeon at COP (Image: Getty)

       Chris Bryant MP on Wales' 20mph speed limit

       Conservatives have seized upon the latest revelation about the controversial rollout.

       Natasha Asghar, Wales's Shadow Transport Minister, said: "It is deeply concerning that the Labour Government has been funnelling money to a former employer of the deputy minister in charge of Labour’s blanket 20mph.

       “The deputy minister is a former director of the cycling charity Sustrans, which has received more than ￡3million in funding over the past three years.

       “As well as the concerns that the Labour Government has used Welsh taxpayers’ money to fund a company with strong links to the deputy minister, by providing such significant sums of money, they have essentially paid for support from the charity for the 20mph rollout."

       Former UK cabinet minister Ranil Jayawardena said: "Polling shows 70 percent of people oppose the 20mph policy in Wales. No wonder Labour gave anti-car lobbyists millions as they sought to drum up support.

       "The fact this group was, until fairly recently, run by the very Labour minister overseeing the 20mph policy should worry all taxpayers.

       "But even more shockingly, the ￡34million cost of bringing in the 20mph speed limits will pale into insignificance to the billions of damage to the wider Welsh economy. This will cost jobs and mean less revenue for the NHS and other public services.

       “The failure of Labour-run Wales and London prove that Labour simply can’t be trusted with the keys to Downing Street.”

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Minister behind Wales' 20mph speed limits ‘rethinks sweeping plan' after local outrage

       54 Comments

       The Tories risk leaving Labour with no money left after the election

       120 Comments

       ‘He's toast!' Reform taunts Rishi Sunak as PM fights for Brexiteer vote in by-elections

       1777 Comments

       Holly Valance issues brutal swipe at 'c*** lefties' and hails Lee Anderson at Tory event

       501 Comments

       Wales warned that hated tourist tax would 'devastate' sector and damage economy

       108 Comments

       Four major councils set to hike tax by 10 percent - are you facing another tax bombshell?

       124 Comments

       The anarchy over immigration has to end

       98 Comments

       Lee Anderson reveals real reason for Keir Starmer's U-turn on Lords in savage swipe

       126 Comments

       Beautiful European country planning 'bold' ￡22bn overhaul to railway network

       Comments

       Civil servants miss 'alarming' number of work days over long-term health issues

       110 Comments

       Row erupts over Port Talbot Tata Steel disaster as Welsh First Minister hopeful blames UK

       80 Comments

       James Cleverly vows tough migration rules will halt shock population rise to 74million

       1766 Comments

       Immigration warning as UK population tipped 'to grow by equivalent of six Birminghams'

       Comments

       Meddling Macron pushes Brussels to end farmers' trade talks in bid to stop protests

       48 Comments

       'Wales is showing how disastrous Keir Starmer's blueprint for power is'

       48 Comments

       How Labour's Mark Drakeford got given the bird and 'flushed ￡4.25m down the loo'

       53 Comments

       Welsh government's humiliation after millions spent on music festival farm it can't use

       74 Comments

       Michael Gove refuses to enter into ￡1k Rwanda bet: 'I don't have that sort of money'

       46 Comments

       Rishi Sunak makes bold tax cut pledge as he's 'totally up for the fight'

       207 Comments

       Brian May backs Carol Vorderman in campaign against the Tories as he issues urgent plea

       323 Comments

       Minister behind Wales' 20mph speed limits ‘rethinks sweeping plan' after local outrage

       54 Comments

       The Tories risk leaving Labour with no money left after the election

       120 Comments

       ‘He's toast!' Reform taunts Rishi Sunak as PM fights for Brexiteer vote in by-elections

       1777 Comments

       Holly Valance issues brutal swipe at 'c*** lefties' and hails Lee Anderson at Tory event

       501 Comments

       Wales warned that hated tourist tax would 'devastate' sector and damage economy

       108 Comments

       Four major councils set to hike tax by 10 percent - are you facing another tax bombshell?

       124 Comments

       The anarchy over immigration has to end

       98 Comments

       Lee Anderson reveals real reason for Keir Starmer's U-turn on Lords in savage swipe

       126 Comments

       Beautiful European country planning 'bold' ￡22bn overhaul to railway network

       Comments

       Civil servants miss 'alarming' number of work days over long-term health issues

       110 Comments

       Row erupts over Port Talbot Tata Steel disaster as Welsh First Minister hopeful blames UK

       80 Comments

       James Cleverly vows tough migration rules will halt shock population rise to 74million

       1766 Comments

       Immigration warning as UK population tipped 'to grow by equivalent of six Birminghams'

       Comments

       Meddling Macron pushes Brussels to end farmers' trade talks in bid to stop protests

       48 Comments

       'Wales is showing how disastrous Keir Starmer's blueprint for power is'

       48 Comments

       How Labour's Mark Drakeford got given the bird and 'flushed ￡4.25m down the loo'

       53 Comments

       Welsh government's humiliation after millions spent on music festival farm it can't use

       74 Comments

       Michael Gove refuses to enter into ￡1k Rwanda bet: 'I don't have that sort of money'

       46 Comments

       Rishi Sunak makes bold tax cut pledge as he's 'totally up for the fight'

       207 Comments

       Brian May backs Carol Vorderman in campaign against the Tories as he issues urgent plea

       323 Comments

       Minister behind Wales' 20mph speed limits ‘rethinks sweeping plan' after local outrage

       54 Comments

       The Tories risk leaving Labour with no money left after the election

       120 Comments

       ‘He's toast!' Reform taunts Rishi Sunak as PM fights for Brexiteer vote in by-elections

       1777 Comments

       Holly Valance issues brutal swipe at 'c*** lefties' and hails Lee Anderson at Tory event

       501 Comments

       Wales warned that hated tourist tax would 'devastate' sector and damage economy

       108 Comments

       Four major councils set to hike tax by 10 percent - are you facing another tax bombshell?

       124 Comments

       The anarchy over immigration has to end

       98 Comments

       A Welsh government spokesman said: “This is nonsense. The deputy minister's Senedd member and relevant ministerial declarations are a matter of public record.”

       Mark Drakeford, Wales's former first minister, recently admitted that the Welsh Government "should have done more to prepare the ground" for the new speed limit, acknowledging it was an "enormous change in people's lives".

       Mr Waters has previously defended the scheme in the face of growing criticism, telling Welsh media: "The policy is here to stay but we're willing to be flexible about how it's implemented."

       Related articles Mark Drakeford 'passionate FM' but has irreparably 'damaged' Wales Furious locals rage over 'stupid' 20mph law as Welsh Labour 'ignoring' public Fury as drivers can be slapped with fines for going faster than 20mph from today Chaos as council attempts to install ￡250k Spanish-style plaza with 20mph zone The beautiful UK seaside town ‘ruined’ by 80mph boy racers treating it like F1 Drivers allowed to break Wales 20mph speed limit rules in contrast to rest of UK Infuriating 20mph limits make London the world’s slowest city Fresh plot to derail Mark Drakeford's 20mph speed limit 'madness' Local outrage causes Minister to ‘rethink reducing speed limits nationwide’

       Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading

       Start 30-day

       FREE trial