Dear Editor, On Saturday October 11th a pedestrian was hit by a motorcyclist in Widcombe, Bath. Tragically, they later died in hospital.
We, the people of Bath, demand the immediate implementation of 20mph limits across all of the remaining 30mph roads in Bath until a full assessment has been undertaken of what an appropriate speed is for those locations. Most people already personally know someone injured in a road crash. 20mph is not a silver bullet- it is a basic plank of road safety just like the convention of people driving on the left of the road or wearing seatbelts. It is proven beyond doubt to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes.
Speed limits need to be judged not only in the context of what is safe, but also what makes for a liveable city in terms of noise, tailpipe and brake dust emissions, ease of crossing roads, pleasantness of being on the pavements and so on.
The remaining 30mph roads are largely single carriageways with homes and businesses each side, schools on or very near them and often in busy pedestrian areas. For example:
– Outside Widcombe Junior School (A36)
– Through the heart of the community at Bear Flat high street (Wellsway A367)
– Through Combe Down on particularly narrow roads and directly outside Ralph Allen School
We will look back on 30mph in urban areas just like smoking in pubs, and be shocked at how long we tolerated the prioritising of speed over safety.
Enough is enough.
Please sign our petition at https://tinyurl.com/2374u24j or scan the QR code
Guy Hodgson, Bath
Bath Voice and Local Democracy Reporters
The journalists are funded by the BBC as part of its latest Charter commitment, but are employed by regional news organisations. A total of 165 reporters are allocated to news organisations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland including Bath Voice. These organisations range from television and radio stations to online media companies and established regional newspaper groups. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities, second-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
Bath Voice Monthly Newspaper is distributed free to thousands of homes and some supermarkets – distributed from the first of the month. Harry Mottram is the News Editor
Email him at news@bathvoice.co.uk Bath website: https://bathvoice.co.uk/news/
Bath Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/bdtf2kep Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bath_voice And Bluesky @bathvoicenews.bsky.social And also on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/harrymottram6/
Read the newspaper online at :https://issuu.com/bathvoice
To advertise to thousands of Bathonians call Shaun on 07540 383870 or email him on sales@bathvoice.co.uk