Campaigners in Bath are pushing for the city to become the first in England to implement a comprehensive 20mph speed limit across all its roads.
Bath has been a pioneer in introducing lower speed limits, with the northern side of the River Avon set to have a 20mph limit by April 2027. Now, activists want Bath and North East Somerset Council to apply the same limit to the remaining 8.5 miles of 30mph roads on the southern side of the river.
The ‘Bath 20mph City’ campaign has gathered around 250 signatures on its petition advocating for the change. Campaign spokesperson Guy Hodgson emphasized the health and safety benefits by comparing 30mph zones to indoor smoking, saying, “30mph where people live, work and play is akin to indoor smoking. When it is no more, we will look back and wonder how we tolerated such a harmful situation for so long.”
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Transport expert Pete Dyson from the University of Bath highlighted the positive impact already seen on London Road, where the 20mph limit has contributed to safer streets, reduced pollution, and easier pedestrian crossings. He called for extending these advantages citywide.
Speaking at Bath and North East Somerset Council’s cabinet meeting on July 2, Hodgson explained that slower speeds allow drivers more time to react and significantly reduce the severity of collisions, resulting in fewer injuries and fatalities. He also noted that driving at 20mph remains, on average, 67 times faster than walking, ensuring mobility isn’t unduly compromised.
The campaign estimates the cost of implementing the citywide 20mph limit at just £15,000—a figure Hodgson described as “excellent value for money.”
Council cabinet member for sustainable transport delivery, Lucy Hodge, reaffirmed the commitment to rolling out 20mph limits in areas requested by residents, stressing the improvement in street safety, particularly for schoolchildren.
With half of Bath already transitioning to 20mph zones, campaigners are urging full citywide adoption so that all residents, especially children, can benefit from safer streets. Hundreds have already signed the petition, and organizers encourage more people to support the cause.