Speed limits set to be lowered on accident-prone Weston-super-Mare road
Proposed changes aim to improve safety along the A370
North Somerset Council is proposing to reduce speed limits on a section of the A370 in Weston-super-Mare to improve road safety.
The proposed changes cover the stretch between the M5 Junction 21 and Hildesheim Bridge, a distance of 3.8 miles.
Despite reductions in collisions across North Somerset, this section remains one of the most collision-prone areas in the region.
Over the past 30 years, this specific stretch accounted for more than five per cent of all reported injury collisions in North Somerset, while forming only 0.5 per cent of the road network.
Drivers are over ten times more likely to experience a collision here.
Four out of the thirteen collision cluster sites identified in recent safety reviews are situated along this route, and speed is a recurring factor in many incidents.
Proposed speed limit changes
The scheme suggests reducing speed limits across various sections of the A370:
- Somerset Avenue (M5 Junction 21 to Airport Roundabout): from 60mph down to 50mph
- Airport Roundabout: from 50mph down to 40mph
- Flowerdown Bridge: from 50mph down to 40mph
- Herluin Way: from 50mph down to 40mph
- Winterstoke Road and Marchfields Way: from 40mph down to 30mph
These adjustments align with national road safety guidelines and practices adopted by neighbouring councils.
Existing speed compliance data indicates that average vehicle speeds along most of this route already meet criteria for lower limits.
Safety and environmental benefits
Research conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) suggests that every one mph reduction in average speed typically results in a five per cent decrease in collision rates.
Additionally, driving 10mph slower can lower emissions and improve fuel economy by five to 10 per cent.
Cllr Hugh Malyan, North Somerset Council’s cabinet member for roads, emphasised that road safety is paramount.
"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," Cllr Malyan said.
"By lowering the limit by 10 mph, 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."
Traffic regulation order (TRO) notices will be advertised from Thursday 16th July, with work scheduled to commence by the end of August 2026.