Hundreds of campaigners are urging Bath and North East Somerset Council to implement a 20mph speed limit across every road in the city. The initiative, led by the group Bath 20mph City, seeks to expand existing lower speed zones to encompass all areas, including those on the south side of the River Avon currently designated as 30mph.
Bath has been at the forefront of introducing 20mph limits, with many of its roads already operating under the reduced speed. By April 2027, all roads situated on the north side of the River Avon are set to adopt the 20mph limit. However, the current plans do not extend to the remaining eight-and-a-half miles of 30mph roads located on the south side of the river, which is the focus of the current campaign.
A spokesperson for Bath and North East Somerset (BANES) Council affirmed its commitment, stating, "We are committed to putting in 20mph speed limits where they are requested by residents, recognising how much safer they make our streets for school children." The council previously expanded 20mph limits in 2022 to various other key routes, including London Road, The Paragon, and Cleveland Place, with the aim of improving safety, reducing air pollution, and encouraging active travel such as walking and cycling.
The campaign group has launched a petition, which has so far garnered 250 signatures, calling for a comprehensive city-wide reduction in speed limits. Guy Hodgson, a spokesperson for Bath 20mph City, drew a strong parallel, stating, "30mph where people live, work and play is akin to indoor smoking." He further elaborated during a recent BANES Council cabinet meeting that while 20mph is still significantly faster than walking, a city-wide implementation would "give people more time to react, reduce the energy in collisions when they do occur" and ultimately lead to "fewer people killed or injured."
Hodgson estimated the cost of this city-wide implementation for the council to be approximately £15,000, presenting it as "excellent value for money." Pete Dyson, a transport expert from the University of Bath, lent his support to the initiative, noting, "We have already seen 20mph works well for people on places like London Road, which is now safer, less polluted and easier to cross. We need to roll out those benefits to all communities."