New speed limits on a number of city and rural roads have been put in by Bath & North East Somerset Council in an effort to improve road safety.
The Council is extending the 20mph speed limit zone on Walcot Street in Bath up to the junction with the A4. Currently the city centre 20mph limit finishes at Saracen Street near the Hilton National Hotel. The decision has been made to improve safety for all local residents. Walcot Street is a very busy road and this would be beneficial for pedestrians and cyclists.
The national speed limit is also being reduce to 50mph on the Pennyquick route between The Globe roundabout to the existing 30mph limit at Poolmead Road, near Haycombe Cemetery. This stretch of road is very busy as it effectively bypasses the City to the south. Concern has been made in the past about the high number of accidents on this road. Improvements including better signing, surfacing and visibility have already been made, and a reduction in the speed limit will further improve safety.
And lastly, the national speed limit on the A368 between Marksbury and Chelwood and the B3115 Tunley Road between the A367 junction and Tunley village are also being reduced to a 50mph speed limit.
Cllr Roger Symonds (Lib-Dem, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for Transport said, “Unnecessarily high speeds can kill, injure, and destroy people’s lives. After listening to local communities, Bath & North East Somerset Council has made changes to the speed limits to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.
“The speed reductions are in addition to the recently agreed Council budget where half a million pounds was earmarked to implement a blanket 20 mph zones in residential areas which are intended to make roads safer for people whether they walk or use a bicycle.“
