The leader of North Somerset Council, Mike Bell, has voiced his opposition to his own council’s proposal to lower speed limits on a busy A-road in Weston-super-Mare. The plan aims to reduce the speed limit by 10mph along a 3.8-mile stretch of the A370, which sees 35,800 vehicles daily and has a collision rate more than ten times higher than other roads in the area.
Cabinet member for highways, Hugh Malyan, supports the reduction, emphasizing the need to prioritize road safety. He stated, “The collision record for this busy stretch is 10 times higher than it should be, and speed is a key factor. By lowering the limit by 10mph, we hope to reduce incidents and improve safety with minimal impact on journey times.” Malyan also highlighted benefits like improved fuel consumption and reduced emissions.
However, Council Leader Mike Bell disagrees with the approach. He remarked, “While I acknowledge the accident history, I do not believe speed is the primary issue. Many collisions stem from poor lane discipline, tailgating, distracted driving, and sudden braking, not the posted speed limit. I do not support this proposal and will be objecting during the consultation.”
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This section of dual carriageway constitutes only 0.5% of North Somerset’s road network but accounts for more than 5% of injury collisions over the last 30 years. Despite concerns, the expected impact on travel times is minimal.
Both Bell and Malyan represent different parts of Weston-super-Mare and belong to a coalition administration that includes Greens, Independents, and Portishead Independents, but excludes Conservatives and Reform UK members.
Public consultation on the proposed speed limit changes will open on July 16 via the council website, allowing residents to submit their support or objections. The council plans to begin implementing the changes in August.