Bristol roads to have 20mph speed restrictions

Residential areas in Bristol could find their roads becoming a 20mph zone.

The move, drawn up by Bristol City Council’s Cycling City project and Active Bristol, is designed to cut road accidents and encourage more people to walk or cycle.

The council claim that the roads to be included in the scheme would only be residential streets and not major traffic routes.

Proposed areas or the reduced speed in East Bristol are to include Eastville, Easton, Ashley, Lawrence Hill and St George.

Areas in South Bristol would include Bedminster,  Southville and Windmill Hill.

Signs informing drivers of new 20mph zones would be put up on both sides of the streets and through the areas to advise of the new speed change.

Speed cameras, speed humps or chicanes will not be introduced as part of this scheme.

Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability, Councillor Jon Rogers said: “The primary aim of these pilot zones is to make walking and cycling in these communities safer and more attractive to more people. Reducing the speed limit to 20mph should also help to reduce the number of road accidents, which is another reason for promoting these schemes.

“We will be monitoring the success of the two pilot areas and listening to comments from local residents and businesses as well as those who regularly pass through these areas before we look at whether they could be extended to other parts of the City.

“We are not expecting the schemes to cause any significant delays to drivers passing through these areas as the nature of the areas chosen is such that the narrowness of the streets and the high level of on-street parking mean that it is neither safe nor suitable for vehicles to travel at more than 20mph.”

A spokesperson from Active Bristol, said “We know that 67 per cent of the adult population in Bristol don’t currently take enough physical activity to benefit their health. The easiest and most accessible forms of activities are those which can become part of daily routine, such as walking and cycling. Therefore, any measures we can take to make the environment safer and more attractive are welcomed.”