Safer roads and Community 20s

Last year, Gloucestershire County Council encouraged local town and parish councils to get in touch to apply for consideration in the ‘safer roads and community 20s’ project. This project aims to reduce road casualties, support safer travel and improve community wellbeing. 

The initiative has been funded by public health funding, designed to help local authorities with improving the health of the public. Changing the speed limit to 20mph from 30mph can reduce fatalities by 7 to 10 times. At present, almost 70% of pedestrians and 60% of cyclists involved in road collisions are killed or face serious injuries. 

Cllr Dr Kate Usmar said:

“As a former GP, I welcome this initiative. It's essential we do more to protect pedestrians and cyclists on our roads, and reducing speed has been proven to reduce fatalities. This is also an excellent opportunity to champion safe active travel, reduce air and noise pollution, and even help to lower travel costs.”

Tewkesbury, Northway, Ashchurch Rural, and Wheatpieces have all been selected in the first wave of locations to receive the changes to the speed limit and further locations are currently in review.

If you wish to receive updates on the safer roads and community 20s, please sign up via https://pages.comms.gloucestershire.gov.uk/p/safer-roads