Agenda item

The Council has allocated £500k to implement 20mph speed limits in Bath and North East Somerset over the next 3 years. The purpose of this report is to consult panel members on the criteria used to implement 20mph speed limits within the district based on national guidance and case studies.

The Transportation Planning Manager introduced this item to the Panel. He informed them that since 1999, the Road Traffic Regulation Act had given traffic authorities the powers to introduce both 20 mph zones and 20mph speed limits without obtaining the consent of the Secretary of State.

He added that the value of adequate consultation being undertaken cannot be over-emphasised. Without such consultation, schemes are likely to be subject to considerable opposition, both during and after implementation. The police need to be consulted about a scheme. If sufficient measures to reduce and control speeds are not installed, then the limits will not be self-enforcing and the police could be faced with calls upon their time to enforce the 20 mph speed limit. Residents within the limit would need to be consulted together with consultation with the fire and ambulance services and any bus operators will be necessary.

The Panel were also advised as to the proposed next steps of the scheme which included the implementation of the first 20mph speed limit pilot in Southdown and developing a 3 year delivery programme for Cabinet approval in March 2012.

Councillor Ian Gilchrist addressed the Panel to give his support to the scheme. He spoke of how Widcombe residents had already presented two petitions to Council in respect of lowering road speeds in their area. He suggested that officers should consider whether the scheme could be applied to any rural routes.

Councillor Neil Butters commented that a number of villages including Freshford and Hinton Charterhouse would be interested in taking part in the trial. He added that an area of Wellow had introduced a 20 mph limit last year, the signage however was not adequate enough and therefore had resulted in no charges being levied.

Councillor Malcolm Hanney asked for the cost and nature of the proposed scheme in Southdown.

The Transportation Planning Manager replied that a figure of £25,000 had been allocated. He added that a rural pilot was planned within Peasedown St John.

The Divisional Director for Planning and Transport added that the scheme should be seen as a district wide initiative as Radstock had already benefited from such a scheme. He also spoke of the need to learn from the work that had taken place in Portsmouth.

Councillor Geoff Ward questioned whether officers should prioritise further pilot schemes to areas that have a higher number of incidents.

The Transportation Planning Manager replied that the Council does always work with the Police following any incident that occurs.

Councillor Caroline Roberts commented that she had been part of the group that visited Portsmouth and that they had some good messages there that the Council could adopt. She recalled also that the community that safer after the introduction of the scheme. She added that a good relationship with the Police must be established on the matter and that public engagement would also be key.

The Panel RESOLVED to thank the officer for his attendance and said that they would welcome being updated on the scheme as it progresses.