We are considering changing the speed limits along stretches of the A368 road, between Marksbury and Ubley. We are holding this consultation to give you an opportunity to view our proposals and have your say about them.
Who we're consulting
This consultation is open to the general public. We would especially like to hear from users of the A368 road, residents who live on or near the road, and businesses which may be affected by the changes we are proposing.
We are separately discussing our proposals with statutory consultees, such as the Police.
Why we want to make changes
Background and policy context
The main objective of the proposals is to improve the safety of the A368 through putting speed limits in place that reflects the hazards and alignment of the road. The A368 passes through several villages and outside of these areas it’s a winding, undulating route with many sharp bends and narrow sections.
Since 2014, there have been 53 collisions along the A368 within Bath and North East Somerset that resulted in injuries. 14 people have been killed or seriously injured.
Most collisions on our roads are caused by driver error. Whilst people make mistakes, a lower and more appropriate speed limit for this road will reduce the likelihood of someone losing their life or suffering serious injuries as a result of a collision.
These proposals also form part of our much wider core policy to tackle the Climate and Ecological Emergencies, and encourage active travel, by ensuring that our road network is safe and pleasant to use for those cycling, wheeling or on foot.
Read more about how we are working to reduce the environmental impact of transport
Current uses of the A368
The A368 is one of the main roads through the south and west of Bath and North East Somerset. It runs from Marksbury to Ubley within B&NES, connecting travellers from the east with the A38 road, which runs north to Bristol Airport, and south to Bridgwater, the M5 and beyond.
While it is used as a through-route, the A368 also runs through the centre of several villages and three conservation areas (West Harptree, Compton Martin and the border of Ubley), and is the main route around some parts of Chew Valley Lake. As such, it serves very different purposes for different users:
- a key commuter route to Keynsham, Bath and Bristol
- a through-route for longer distance traffic connecting with the A38, M4 or M5
- an everyday street for local people to get to school or local shops and businesses
- a popular leisure route for individuals and groups of cyclists, especially in the stretches next to Chew Valley Lake
Current speed limits and protective measures
There are currently a wide range of speed limits in force on different parts of the A368, from the national limit in some rural areas down to a 20mph limit in the village of West Harptree (implemented after public consultation in 2021). There are currently very few facilities for pedestrians and cyclists in place along the length of the road:
- Pavements do not cover the full length of villages or residential areas, and are almost exclusively only provided on one side of the road
- There are no cycle lanes along any part of the A368 that passes through B&NES (except for a very short section, by Chew Valley Lake)
- There is no street lighting in place along the majority of the road, in accordance with Dark Skies ecological policies, to promote the welfare of local bat populations and other nocturnal wildlife (View Natural England's interactive map, which illustrates light pollution)
The changes we're proposing
This project aims to make the A368 safer for all users, by making our approach to speed limits along the whole length of the road more consistent, and lowering speed limits to improve safety for everyone, especially in residential areas. In general, our proposals will mean the following:
- In non-residential areas, where there is currently a national or 50mph speed limit, we plan to reduce the limit to 40mph.
- Approaching residential areas, where the road has a current limit of 40mph, we're proposing to reduce this to 30mph.
- Within residential areas, we're proposing that the A368, and local roads which lead onto it, will see a speed limit reduction from 30mph to 20mph.
View the changes on an interactive map
Current speed limits
Proposed new speed limits
View the documentation
To change any of the regulations for our roads, we have to create a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO): a legal document which states the new regulations, and forms the basis for enforcing them.
Learn more about the process and documentation for creating TROs
To create a new TRO we go through the following process:
- We publish a notice summarising the proposed order and inviting comments on our TRO web pages. We also put up street notices along the road and publish a public notice in a local newspaper.
- We produce a report which shows the internal consultation and discussion we have had in preparing the Order.
- We publish a legal Traffic Order and mapping, showing where and when the Order will apply. The Order will include blanks for dates and signatories, which will be completed if it is approved and implemented.
- Following consultation, we add a summary of the comments we receive to the report, together with responses from highway officers addressing those comments. Local ward councillors receive a copy of this and have the opportunity to comment before it is passed onto the Cabinet Member for Transport for comment.
- The Director of Place Management then considers the consultation feedback and the officer comments before making a decision on whether the proposals should go ahead.
Use the Documents tab on the right hand of the page to download and view all of the component parts of the TRO.
Potential impacts
We expect these changes will have an impact on all users of the A368, as well as those living or running a business alongside it. Select a topic below to read more detail.
- Journeys may take slightly longer. However, there will be greater consistency of speed limits along the A368.
- Lower driving speeds should make sharp bends or junctions with limited visibility on some parts of the A368 safer for all road users.
- It should be safer to cross the road within residential areas.
- Roads should feel safer because 20mph and 30mph speed limits are a reminder to drivers they are in an area where people other than drivers and riders are using the road.
- The road should feel safer to use, particularly when passing through residential areas.
- Houses next to the road may experience less traffic noise, if vehicles are driving more slowly.
- Turning into and coming out of driveways may be easier and safer.
- If more people feel safe to walk, wheel or cycle, in the longer term, traffic pollution may reduce and air quality improve.
- Journey times may increase slightly.
- We anticipate that safer roads for cyclists and pedestrians should have a positive impact on numbers of these customers in the area.
How to respond
The consultation is open until the end of 15 August.
The quickest and easiest way to respond is to use our interactive form.
If you can't respond online
Please use the reference TRO24-020/LC, and state that your comments relate to the A368 speed limit changes
Please call Council Connect on: 01225 39 40 41 if you would like help accessing or using the online form.
You can also send us your comments in writing. Tell us whether you support or object to the proposals, and your reasons why.
- By email: Message us at TROs@bathnes.gov.uk
- By post: Traffic Management Team, Bath & North East Somerset Council, Lewis House, Manvers Street, Bath, BA1 1JG.
Please email if you can, rather than sending a letter. We will write to inform all respondents of our decision on these proposals, and we can do this much more quickly and efficiently by email.
Next steps
We are expecting the project to follow this approximate timeline:
- Public consultation: July and August 2024
- Consideration of consultation responses: August and September 2024
- Decision: September and October 2024
- Speed limit changes implemented (if we decide to go ahead): December 2024 or early 2025