20mph speed limit pilot areas

On this page:

New Website
Introduction
Frequently asked questions
Traffic volumes and speeds
Personal injury road accident data
Contact us

New Website

For further information on the pilots and the rollout of the 20 mph project visit our 20mph website (www.bristol20mph.co.uk).

Introduction

Bristol City Council's Cycling City project (a joint initiative between Bristol City and South Gloucestershire Councils), in partnership with the Active Bristol programme, have funded a pilot 20 mph speed scheme in two residential areas in Bristol.

Inner East Bristol Pilot Area (pdf, 0.6 MB) (opens new window) – introduced 22 October 2010
Wards affected: Ashley, Easton, Eastville, Lawrence Hill, St George West

Inner South Bristol Pilot Area (pdf, 352 KB) (opens new window) – introduced on 21 May 2010
Wards affected: Bedminster, Lawrence Hill, Southville, Windmill Hill

The impacts of the 20 mph pilot schemes have been monitored by the Council and the findings published in a Monitoring Report (pdf, 2.6 MB) (opens new window). One of the key headline findings from the pilot is that 89 per cent of residents support 20 mph limits on residential streets.

Frequently asked questions

Why do we need a 20mph speed limit?

To make walking and cycling in these areas safer and more attractive
Slower speeds will help to reduce the number and seriousness of injuries suffered by road casualties
People in the area will feel safer and travel more on foot or by bicycle and there will be more outdoor active play amongst children
Crossing roads and being able to access local facilities is important for health and wellbeing within the local community

How were the pilot areas chosen for the 20mph speed limit?

We identified where there were a high number of pedestrian and cycle accidents, particularly those that involved children, as well as considering the layout and type of streets, traffic volumes/speeds, the presence of schools and other community facilities.

How will a 20mph speed limit affect road safety?

Reducing the speed limit to 20mph has a direct, positive impact on pedestrian and cycle safety.

What other benefits are expected?

Reducing speed can make people feel less concerned about being on their local streets, increases the safety of children and the elderly and the sense of community and trust.

How do I know when I am in a road with a 20mph speed limit?

20mph road markings and large traffic signs have been installed at the junctions where the speed limit changes. Smaller '20' repeater signs have also been placed at regular intervals on either side of the road. There have also been several 20mph flashing Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS), installed at some of the higher speed roads to remind drivers to keep to the new lower speed limit.

The 20mph speed limit does not involve the introduction of any physical traffic calming features such as speed humps.

Will all of Bristol eventually be subject to a 20mph limit?

Yes, we intend to extend the 20mph limit across all residential areas in Bristol (alongside other UK towns and cities) if the pilot schemes are found to be successful. We will listen to feedback from local residents, businesses and people who travel through the areas.

How will a 20mph speed limit be enforced and who will do it?

So that the 20mph limits can be self-enforcing, the City Council and Police have worked together to ensure that that people accept and understand why they are being asked to drive at 20mph in the two pilot areas.

We have also worked to reinforce the new lower limit by using solar-power Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) which will flash '20' when people exceed the speed limit. We therefore do not anticipate that any enforcement of the 20mph limits will be needed.

Who does the 20mph speed limit apply to?

All motorised vehicles.

Will there be significant delays to motorists who travel through the area?

No. The areas chosen have narrow streets and high levels of on-street parking so it is not safe to travel above 20mph.

How much have the 20mph pilot areas cost?

The 20mph pilot areas have cost approx. £380,000. This involves the consultation, design and installation of the signs, road markings and installation of 20mph Vehicle Activated Signs. (This does not include the cost for the before and after monitoring of approx £98,000.)

In terms of future cost savings the average value of prevention of just one less slight and one less serious injury alone is £200,000.

What type of before and after monitoring is taking place for the pilot areas and how will the new 20mph speed limit improve the local environment?

Reducing the speed limit should have a beneficial effect on the environment.

We are monitoring:

traffic speeds
road casualties
noise and air quality
walking and cycling levels
children's play
community severance
before and after attitudes
quality of life surveys

Bus services are monitoring bus journey times and service reliability since the introduction of the schemes.

When the analysis is complete, a summary of information will be published.

Traffic volumes and speeds

The maps listed below show the average traffic speeds for a selection of roads within the 20mph speed limit pilot areas from March to June 2009.

As part of the post monitoring, we will carry out automatic traffic counts on the same roads after the introduction of the 20mph speed limit.

Personal injury road accident data

The maps listed below display all of the personal injury road accidents between 2006 and 2008 that have been reported to Avon and Somerset Police and passed on to Bristol City Council's Road Safety Engineering Team.

As part of the post monitoring, we will carry out analysis of the personal injury road accident data within the pilot areas after the introduction of new speed limit.

Road accident data for Bristol map in the last three years.