TWO stretches of road in Keynsham town centre may have their speed limits lowered from 30mph to 20mph.
The proposals affect Bristol Road from the High Street/Station Road roundabout westwards for 225 metres, and Station Road from the roundabout to the Keynsham boundary sign east of the entrance to the train station.
Bath & North East Somerset Council says it has secured funding to introduce the 20mph limit, which it says would be suitable because of the nature of the roads, and pedestrian and cycling activity in the area.
Station Road has three pedestrian crossings. Two are signal-controlled, one outside the train station, which is well used by commuters, and another at the entrance to the Somerdale Estate.
There is also a zebra crossing next to St John’s Church, which is well used by school children, so the council says reducing the limit to 20mph would help to maintain safety on these crossings.
Traffic speed surveys were carried out on Bristol Road and Station Road in June. They showed that the average speed in both directions on Bristol Road was between 24mph and 25mph, and the average speed on Station Road was between 20mph and 22mph. The council believes these figures suggest that new 20mph signs would have a positive impact in achieving compliance.
The proposals have been backed by local ward councillors Alex Beaumont and George Leach.
But Cllr Alan Hale said he did not support a 20mph limit for Bristol Road as he felt it would not be adhered to and that police traffic enforcement was “abysmal”.
Regarding Station Road, he said he was not overly concerned as vehicle speed was constrained most of the time by the volume of traffic.
Cllr David Biddleston felt it was more important to extend the 20mph limit down the hill and past Avon Mill Lane, with a crossing installed to serve the car park opposite the lane that is used by rail commuters and people visiting local pubs and the park.
He said: “I often see people running across that road and dodging traffic at that point.”
“Across the proposed length, cars are prevented from driving too fast by traffic lights, crossings, jams and junctions. You cannot travel 10 yards before having to slow again. The proposed 20mph is already achieved then without the additional expenditure.
“Please focus your funding and attention at the dangerous crossings and speed from the bridge to Avon Mill Lane and provide a pedestrian crossing at that point.”
Keynsham Town Council made no comment on the proposals.
The deadline for comments is September 5. They can be sent by email to TROs@BATHNES.GOV.UK or by post to Traffic Management Team, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Lewis House, Manvers Street, Bath, BA1 1JG.
Submissions should quote the title of the scheme – (Bristol Road, Keynsham) (Station Road, Keynsham) (20 mph speed limit) 202 – with the reference TRO 24-011.
Pictured, this stretch of Station Road could have its limit lowered from 30mph
20mph speed limit bids on two Keynsham roads
