The Vale of Glamorgan cabinet approved plans for experimental changes to the speed limit in Aberthin yesterday.

The cabinet agreed that the new speed limit of 20mph in the village will commence from July this year and that the experimental orders to be in place for up to 18 months.

Objections and comments from the public will be accepted during the first 6 months of the trials and a further report on the outcomes of the experiments will be go before Cabinet within the 18-month period.

Cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services and Transport Councillor Peter King said the changes gave him "great pleasure".

"This is something that is close to my heart and something that the Welsh Government is trialling, with a view to it becoming a default speed limit, so therefore the more we can all learn in advance of that, the better it will be," he said.

Previously Aberthin residents campaigned for a safe crossing, but the road layout meant one could not be built according to necessary criteria.

Aberthin residents then called for a reduced speed and traffic controls, citing a sharp bend, poor visibility for vehicles pulling out of Downs View Close, and a narrow pavement among their concerns about the speed.

Together they wrote over 30 letters to the Vale Council asking for change.

Ward councillor Andrew Pritchard said it was "fantastic news".

"Thanks to all the residents who wrote letters to Cllr Neil Moore as without their support we wouldn't have achieved this fantastic result for the village," he told Nub News.

Cllr Neil Moore said: "The road through Aberthin is winding, and you cannot put a crossing there legally.

"This is something I thought was fairly reasonable to do, and Cllrs Cox, Hunter and Jarvie are fully supportive of us putting this forward as an alternative to the lack of a crossing."

The scheme would generally comprise of, gateways, rumble strips, 20MPH signage, speed activated signs and highway markings subject to final design, the report reads and vehicle speeds and traffic volumes will be assessed prior to implementation and monitored during experimental phase of 20 mph speed limit.

Cllr Benjamin Grey said: "These experimental zones will be really useful for us to understand how these areas affect safety, people's feelings about how a road goes through a community.

"We have to be open minded when we talk about active travel solutions for the future, and how different speed limits can work, and how different communities will interact with private cars in the future."

Read the full details of the changes here.