A major road safety initiative is being proposed for the A370 between the M5 Junction 21 and Hildesheim Bridge in Weston-super-Mare, which would see speed limits reduced from 60mph to 50mph on key sections. The scheme targets a 3.8-mile stretch of dual carriageway that carries around 35,800 vehicles daily, where the crash rate is reported to be "10 times higher than it should be."
Collision Statistics Highlight Urgent Need for Change
Although the A370 represents only 0.5% of the road network in North Somerset, it accounts for over 5% of all reported injury collisions over the past 30 years. Drivers are more than 10 times as likely to be involved in a collision on this section compared to other roads. The proposed speed reductions aim to address this disproportionate risk.
Proposed Speed Limit Reductions by Section
The scheme includes specific reductions: Somerset Avenue (M5 Junction 21 to Airport Roundabout) from 60mph to 50mph; Airport Roundabout from 50mph to 40mph; Flowerdown Bridge from 50mph to 40mph; Herluin Way from 50mph to 40mph; and Winterstoke Road and Marchfields Way from 40mph to 30mph.
Alignment with National Guidance and Minimal Travel Impact
The proposed limits align with national road safety guidance and practices adopted by neighbouring councils. Speed compliance data shows average vehicle speeds along most of the route already fall within thresholds justifying lower limits. The potential impact on travel time is expected to be minimal, with a 10mph reduction adding less than a minute to journeys, as congestion at signalised junctions already accounts for most delays during peak periods.
Research Supports Safety and Environmental Benefits
Research by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) indicates that a one mph reduction in average speed typically leads to a 5% decrease in collisions. Additionally, driving 10mph slower can lower emissions and improve fuel economy by 5% to 10%.
Council Prioritises Road Safety
Cllr Hugh Malyan, North Somerset Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for roads, said: "The collision record for this stretch of busy road is ten times higher than it should be and speed is a key factor in this. By lowering the limit by 10mph we hope to reduce incidents and improve safety with minimal impact on journey times. The 10mph reduction will also improve fuel consumption and lower emissions which is good for the pocket as well as the environment."
