Theme park pens tongue-in-cheek letter to Welsh drivers hit by new 20mph limit

30 October 2023 , 18:59

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Chessington World of Adventures has written a cheeky message to Welsh drivers with the 'need for speed' (Image: Chessington World of Adventures)

A theme park has made a cheeky offer to the "people of Wales" who might be feeling the need for speed since the limit on local roads was brought down to 20mph.

Surrey's Chessington World of Adventures posted an open letter online, saying it understands that the new law may have left many Welsh residents with a "craving for awesome velocity". The letter reads: "Here at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, we understand that many of your roads now have a default 20mph speed limit. We hear that this has left many residents of Wales with an unfulfilled need for speed. We are delighted to be able to satisfy your craving for awesome velocity."

The 20mph speed limit was introduced last month for residential roads in Wales, dividing drivers. One protest has seen opponents stage a convoy to Welsh Parliament in outrage over the switch.

It's thought the lower speed limit will improve road safety and potentially prevent up to 20,000 casualties over the next ten years, WalesOnline reports. But a poll carried out by the title this month found more than half of people (59%) were still against it, a vast change from the 46% who supported it before it was implemented in September.

Chessington's tongue-in-cheek letter adds: "Our new Mandrill Mayhem rollercoaster provides a legal, wild way to travel more than twice as fast as your 20mph restricted roads. It goes at 42mph in fact, forwards, backwards AND upside down. The best bit? It's only two hours and 30 minutes away from the Wales/England border - even when travelling at Welsh speeds.

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"During this half term, we'll welcome all residents of Wales with a free picture speeding on Mandrill Mayhem when you book a visit. No speed cameras here. Wild regards."

Chessington, known for its zoo, is inviting people travelling from Wales to bring "proof of Welshness" to get the perk. The park added: "With the new 20mph speed restrictions generating uproar, we hear the people of Wales and their unsatisfied need for speed."

"We're delighted Mandrill Mayhem, which opened just over five months ago, can meet that need. We're promising residents of Wales, who book to visit this half term and bring their driving licence as proof of Welshness, a free picture 'speeding' on the new rollercoaster. We hope they'll have a Wales of a time."

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Susie Beever