A 20mph speed limit could be introduced across Bristol's roads
A 20 MILES-per-hour speed limit could be introduced across Bristol if a new road safety report is put into action.
The report, produced by three of the biggest organisations in the city, concludes that the best way to improve safety is to reduce the volume and speed of traffic.
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Bristol City Council, NHS Bristol and the University of the West of England worked together on the report, which also calls for walking and cycling to be promoted as another way to make travelling safer.
The city already has two 20mph pilot schemes, in the south and east, and the report says these "dovetail well" with cycling and walking.
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In those areas the limit applies largely to residential roads only, excluding major thoroughfares such as the A4 or St John's Lane in Bedminster.
Leading councillors have hinted that they would like to see the 20mph zones extended across the city, possibly within the next two
years. The report makes several recommendations, including that the city council should adopt a policy of reducing road danger.
This vision would be of a city in which it is safe and pleasant to move around, and especially beneficial for those who walk, cycle and use public transport.
"A city-wide extension of the current pilot 20mph speed limits is assessed as helping to achieve this," the report says.
Bristol's Director of Public Health Dr Hugh Annett said: "Physical activity through walking and cycling is one of the most important ways to improve health.
"Road danger reduction is integral to making walking and cycling more attractive, safer, and in making Bristol a truly healthy city."
Cabinet councillor Dr Jon Rogers, who was in charge of the council's transport policy until May and now has responsibility for health, said: "This is an excellent report.
"It indicates how we can further improve road safety while promoting sustainable modes of transport.
"Encouraging safer, friendlier and healthier ways of getting around our city is the way to go."
UWE senior lecturer in public health Dr Paul Pilkington said: "The Knowledge Transfer Partnership has demonstrated the benefits of co-operation between the local council, NHS, and UWE when it comes to ensuring Bristol is a healthy city – in this case, a city where the road environment is safer for all."
The first 20mph pilot scheme was launched in south Bristol earlier this year, covering Bedminster and Southville.
Since then, the average speed in the area has dropped by an average of 1.4mph, from around 25mph.
Another 20mph zone was introduced in east Bristol last month which covers Ashley Down, Easton, Eastville, Lawrence Hill and St George West.
Introducing a citywide 20mph zone would cost the council about £500,000.
Comments
by James, Redland
Thursday, December 02 2010, 11:43AM
“Cyclists and pedestrians do NOT mix well together. Looks at mayhem on the current cycle lanes which are called pavements.”
by rob, Bristol
Saturday, November 27 2010, 1:16AM
“Tony, you ignorant excuse for a human being. I assume you didnt bother to read the fact that the driver of the bus was found not guilty? And that there were circumstances which proved he was not to blame, hence the not guilty.
I suggest you ensure you have the facts before trying to deflect from the story at hand.”
by R, Briz
Friday, November 26 2010, 11:01AM
“bob - Bristol is hardly a two-bit town, half a million people with more or less the same population density and much of london suggests to me that Bristol could indeed achieve a non-subsidised public transport system....
If only we could replace First Group”
by Hip O'Crite, Bristol
Thursday, November 25 2010, 9:51PM
“Good job I have a speedo on my push bike. Clocked up 30 mph down some hills.Not all cyclists know what speed they're doing.
Will have to be more careful if this becomes law.
As someone has already said Like all our laws and regulation they won't be enforced.”
by Legal Eagle, South Bristol
Thursday, November 25 2010, 9:45PM
“There is no such offence as breaking the 20mph speed limit on a bicycle. Speed limits do not apply to bicycles.
Simon, Kingston upon Hull
Er, I think they do actually - the speed limit applies to all modes of transport.
Rob, Brizzle
I am afraid Rob is incorrect. It is an offence under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to drive a **motor** vehicle on a road at a speed exceeding the limit ie bicycles are NOT restricted to the speed limit!”
by bob, bristol
Thursday, November 25 2010, 8:33PM
“of course it is! population density determines the level of public transport possible without massive tax payer subsidy.
Many people that work in bristol live in surrounding towns and villages any they have no choice but to drive.”
by R, Briz
Thursday, November 25 2010, 5:28PM
“What's your point about the obviously different population sizes?
You think it's easier/more difficult for London to acheive a fairly decent public transport system?”
by bob, bristol
Thursday, November 25 2010, 1:37PM
“London has a population of around 10 million including tourists, Bristol is around 500,000 they cannot be compared.
Either we get real an embrace electric cars or we continue this idealism and disaster of transport policy.”
by R, Briz
Thursday, November 25 2010, 7:47AM
“er, no. We need to reduce the amount of car usage..
This can be done through means of improving public transport, allowing pedestrians to feel safer (as in this case of the 20mph) and finally install a decent cycle network right across Bristol.
Car use is not a sustainable means of transport and we should be looking to reduce it as such. Improving facilities for car drivers only encourages them.. And efforts should be put into these other means of transportation..
London is finally getting there, sort of.”
by bob, bristol
Thursday, November 25 2010, 12:52AM
“"er, obviously. Why would the council encourage car use and discourage cycling? That would be completely insane"
Er no that would be completely realistic, why is the other european countries such as holland, germany provide decent public transport, decent cycling facilities AND decent roads where we think one form of transport is the solution they realise ALL forms of transport need to be provided as best as possible in a big city in order to make getting around as easy as possible,”