New speed limits and cameras to cut fatalities on county roads
New speed limits will come into force on the county's roads to cut fatalities and serious injuries. Gloucestershire County Council's initiative is part of the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership (GRSP). In 2022, the council approved a strategy to halve road fatalities and serious injuries over ten years and these new measures are part of that strategy to tackle hot spot areas.
The scheme includes the use of average speed cameras and lower speed limits at some sites. The first two roads being reviewed have collectively suffered 34 people killed or serious injured (KSIs) in 23 collisions in the last 5 years. On both of these roads speed is a major contributing factor to collisions.
Average speed cameras will be installed on the A436 between Seven Springs and Shipton, where the highest number of collisions involving KSIs have occurred (13 in the last 5 years) They will enforce the existing 50mph limit. This kind of measure will typically ensure up to 99 per cent compliance with speed limits. Speed limit reduction on A46 - the speed limit on the A46 near Pitchcombe junction (where 10 collisions involving KSIs have occurred in the past five years), will be reduced from 50mph to 40mph following community consultations.
This change is supported by local stakeholders and will be implemented alongside the installation of average speed cameras. Cllr Dave Norman, Chair of GRSP, said: "Road safety is a priority for us. By working with our partners and local communities, we aim to make Gloucestershire's roads safer for everyone.
I'm pleased to see these cameras installed as we know that reducing speeds at these locations will have a positive outcome in reducing the number of collisions." The work to install these measures, costing around GBP400,000, will begin in April 2025. Installation of cameras will be coordinated by the county council with ongoing operation by Gloucestershire Constabulary.
Any surplus income from speed awareness courses, run by Gloucestershire Constabulary, will be reinvested in road safety improvements in Gloucestershire. Nick Evans, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, added: "These new cameras are about saving lives. Nearly half of the deaths and serious injuries on these stretches of road have involved excess speed, so as a road safety partnership, we see these installations as a crucial step in improving road safety.
Anything that we can do to prevent more families suffering the heartache of another fatality is worthwhile, and will benefit the local communities too, who know all too well the dangers posed by speeding motorists."
Gloucestershire Live WhatsApp Breaking News and Top Stories
Join Gloucestershire Live's WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone Gloucestershire Live[1] is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community. Through the app, we'll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.
To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select 'Join Community'.[2] No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Gloucestershire Live[3] team.
We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out at any time you like. To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'Exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.[4]
Click here to join our WhatsApp community.[5]
References
- ^ Gloucestershire Live (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ click this link and select 'Join Community'. (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Gloucestershire Live (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Privacy Notice. (www.reachplc.com)
- ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community. (chat.whatsapp.com)