Release Date:  30-Jun-2008

A consultation programme gets underway this week (from Monday, June 30th 2008) over the possible introduction of state-of-the-art safety measures aimed at reducing dangerous driving and protecting lives in two areas of the city.

Bristol City Council is proposing the introduction of comprehensive Watchman Safety Schemes at Long Cross in Kings Weston - between the junctions with Kings Weston Rd and Stile Acres - and at Whiteladies Road in Clifton, between the junctions with Lower Redland Road and West Park.

Both roads have relatively high accident rates. There were 63 reported accidents on Whiteladies Road in total between January 2005 and December last year - with two people killed and nine seriously injured.  At Long Cross there were 27 reported accidents during the same period, with six people being seriously injured. Speed was an issue in a large number of the accidents at both locations.

If the new Watchman schemes get the go ahead, safety cameras would be installed in both directions on the two roads. They would be switched on around the clock and would record the number plates of any vehicles breaking the speed limit. Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) would also be installed in advance of the cameras to warn motorists where they are exceeding the speed limit - and there would be clear signs to advise road users when they are entering the zones.

Fines would not be issued instantly, as with most other speed cameras, but police would be able to follow up any driving above the speed limit captured on film and consider prosecution.

A similar scheme has been in operation at Allison Road, Brislington for the past year and over that time traffic speeds have dramatically decreased and no new personal injury accidents have been recorded.

Consultation leaflets and questionnaires are being delivered to homes in the affected areas from Monday 30th June and completed questionnaires should to be retuned via the freepost address provided by 31st July 2008.

Councillor Mark Bradshaw, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: " The Watchman Scheme is a tried and tested method and has been successful in reducing accidents and injuries in Brislington. The Watchman scheme aims to encourage safer driving behaviour in locations where a combination of high accident levels and dangerous driving continue to cause concern.

" We now want to try the same approach on these  stretches of road in Lawrence Weston and Clifton as part of the council's ambitious programme to make our city a safer and healthier place and provide better neighbourhoods for our residents."

Author:  Kate Hartas/Simon Caplan

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