Bath & North East Somerset Council is consulting on proposals to change the speed limit along stretches of the A368 between Marksbury and Ubley, where 53 collisions have been recorded in the past ten years.   

The proposals aim to improve the safety of the A368 by introducing speed limits that better reflect the hazards of the road, which passes through villages, has narrow sections and sharp bends.

The aim is also to encourage more active travel, by making the highway safer for people to walk, wheel and cycle.

Potential changes outlined in the proposal include reducing a 50mph speed limit to 40mph in non-residential areas, reducing a 40mph speed limit to 30mph for approaches to residential areas, and reducing the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph in residential areas.

More information on the proposed changes, including an interactive map, can be found on the consultation webpage: https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/consultation-a368-speed-limit-changes.

Councillor Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Transport said: “We want to make around 17km of this A-road safer, with the introduction of more consistent and suitable speed limits. We want to hear from residents, businesses and those that use the A368 regularly to get their views on our proposals.”

A public consultation was held from July 25 to August 15. Consideration of consultation responses is currently underway and a decision is expected to be made between September and October. Speed limit changes, if the council decide to go ahead, will be implemented in December 2024 or early 2025.