A week ago I had the pleasure (?) of driving on the A487 between Aberystwyth and Fishguard, some of it stuck behind vehicles without proper mirrors towing caravans but that's another subject. Nice road surfaces

and the speed limits apart from in Aberystwyth are generous with 40s and 50s in villages where in England one would get 30s IMO.
Just to the north east of Cardigan however there are two 40 limits in succession that are not mandatory, the signs being ringed in a brown/ maroon colour with "Max speed" printed below and unlike other limits on the road there are no repeaters. You still get an end of restriction sign.
As far as I could see drivers were obeying the signs, as I was. Any forum users with local knowledge care to comment?