National Highways has announced new speed restrictions will be introduced on the A46 near Bath as part of measures to improve safety.
The A46 looking towards Pennsylvania | Photo © National Highways
Working with Avon & Somerset Police, Bath & North East Somerset Council and South Gloucestershire Council, the government agency has identified various safety issues on the A46 between Bath and junction 18 of the M4.
Collision data between 2017 and 2021 identified a total of 41 incidents, resulting in 79 casualties, two of which were fatalities.
Following further monitoring and surveys, National Highways is now taking action to reduce speed limits along a number of sections.
The speed reduction scheme, financed through the agency’s designated Safety and Congestion Fund, will see:
- The speed limit reduced to 50mph south of M4 J18 to Pennsylvania Village
- The speed limit reduced to 30mph through Pennsylvania Village
- The speed limit reduced to 40mph south of Pennsylvania to Upper Swainswick, where it returns to 50mph.
A speed reduction order has been initiated and the installation of new signage will take place in the coming weeks, with resurfacing and road marking work taking place later in the year.
Sean Walsh, National Highways’ A46 Route Manager, said: “Safety is our first priority, and we constantly monitor the safety performance of all our roads, including the A46.
“Following a review of the collision data and working closely with our police and local authority partners, we have taken the decision to implement revised speed limits to reduce safety risks along the single lane section between Upper Swainswick and junction 18 of the M4.
“We’re always exploring ways to make our roads safer by using collision data, risk assessments and insights to better understand driver behaviour.
“The scheme is designed to improve safety for all road users and reduce the number of people harmed on the region’s roads.”
Chief Inspector Rob Cheeseman, of Avon & Somerset Police, said: “We welcome National Highways’ efforts to improve driver safety on the A46 and their use of data to identify the riskiest stretches of road in the area.
“Inappropriate and excess speed, and not abiding by speed limits, is one of the ‘Fatal Five’ behaviours that most commonly contribute to fatal and serious injury collisions.
“In 2023 and 2024 combined, we attended 872 fatal and serious injury collisions on Avon and Somerset roads. Speed-related factors were identified in 436 of them, so 50 per cent.
“The speed limits we put in place are therefore not optional; they are there to keep our roads safe for motorists and pedestrians alike.
“Even one life lost on our roads through excess speed is one life too many, and it is completely avoidable. We will continue to target road users who do not adhere to these necessary safety measures.”
The programme of work will start on Monday 24th February and a combination of temporary traffic lights and some overnight closures of the A46, on weeknights only, 8pm to 6am, will be required to complete the work by mid-March.
The A46 north of the Cold Ashton roundabout will be closed overnight:
- Thursday 6th March to Friday 7th March
- Friday 7th March to Saturday 8th March
The A46 south of the Cold Ashton roundabout will be closed overnight:
- Wednesday 12th March to Thursday 13th March
- Thursday 13th March to Friday 14th March
- Friday 14th March to Saturday 15th March
- Monday 17th March to Tuesday 18th March
There will be two main diversion routes during the sign installation work:
- When the A46 is closed north of Cold Ashton roundabout the diversion will be via the B4465, the A4174 and the A420 back to Cold Ashton.
- When the A46 is closed south of the Cold Ashton roundabout the diversion route will be via the A420, the A350 and the A4. Both diversion routes can be travelled in either direction.
Some local roads, including Field Lane, Dunsdown Lane, Middledown Road, and Sands Hill, will have short diversions, for the removal and installation of signage.
Mr Walsh added: “To keep disruption to a minimum, we’re carrying out the work at night when traffic volumes are at their lowest.
“We thank people in advance for their patience and we advise people to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.”
