News / 20mph
‘Good news that Bristol’s safer speed limits are here to stay’
Campaigners have said 20mph zones are the “new normal” in Bristol as they welcome a commitment to retaining safer speed limits.
A council consultation into whether the measures should be adjusted found a clear majority support the slower restrictions introduced between 2012 and 2015 under former mayor George Ferguson – therefore no major changes will be made.
The review, which took place last summer, was a manifesto commitment of current mayor Marvin Rees.
is needed now More than ever
It incorporated research by UWE Bristol that revealed the 20MPH limits have already prevented four fatalities a year, reduced injuries and saved front-line services an estimated £15m a year.
Speaking about the consultation outcome, Dr Suzanne Audrey, a senior research fellow in public health at the University of Bristol and co-director of the Supporting Healthy Inclusive Neighbourhood Environments Health Integration Team (SHINE), said: “Slower speeds are a vital measure to protect the health of the public.
“There are so many benefits; from protecting citizens, especially children and young people, from death and serious injury, to making our neighbourhoods more pleasant places to walk or cycle in.
“It is very good news that Bristol’s safer speeds are here to stay.”
The review gained one of the largest responses to a public consultation in the city, with a total of 3,391 respondents.
Of these, 95 per cent supported retaining 20mph speed limits near schools (3195 respondents answered the question), while 74 per cent supported the measures on residential roads (from 2,473 respondents). 44 per cent backed 20mph on main roads (from 1,629 respondents).
The slower limits also had the backing of all key stakeholder groups, including the police.
Zoe Trinder-Widdess, pictured with daughter Greta, has welcomed the results of the review
Zoe Trinder-Widdess, communications manager for Bristol Health Partners and 20mph campaigner, welcomed the results, saying: “It’s fantastic news that the council is protecting these safer speed limits in our city. We know they’ve already saved lives, prevented injury and saved the NHS millions.
“It’s important to remember that the response to the main roads question was the lowest of all those questions about where 20mph was supported, nor was ‘main road’ defined within the context of the survey. Main roads are often our high streets where we shop and socialise, so increasing speed limits on them would have been disastrous.
“Overall, the response to the consultation showed that public support for 20mph is high. For most of us, it’s become the new normal.”
The report by UWE, published in February 2018, revealed that average speeds dropped by 2.7mph in the areas with 20mph limits.
The study also found that walking and cycling across Bristol had increased, both among children travelling to school and adults travelling to work.
Zoe said this was one of the key hopes for introducing the limits, as safer neighbourhoods make it easier for people to make active travel choices.
20mph zones are here to stay
Following the review, the council has identified a few “minor adjustments” needed on some roads to support compliance with the limit.
Kye Dudd, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “The 20mph review was an essential part of the One City Plan 2040 target of zero people killed or seriously injured due to avoidable incidents on Bristol’s roads.
“The overall outcomes of the project were to ensure reduced speed limits continue to help improve active travel and subsequently health and wellbeing for citizens, and make streets safer for all road users as part of our wider approach to transport policy in Bristol.”
Read more: Bristol’s 20mph zones have saved more than four lives in the last year alone
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