A guest blog from our former Chair Guy Hodgson:

Firstly, a warning. I am going to reference death in this blog post. Some find that distasteful, and they should stop reading now. My own view is that if we can’t admit 5 people die on the roads every day, we can’t even begin to address the matter.

I have started a petition for the adoption of 20mph on all of Bath’s roads. This has been prompted by a tragic event: on October 11th there was a collision between a pedestrian and a motorcyclist in Widcombe. Sadly, the pedestrian later died in hospital.

I am not seeking to apportion any blame, but I do want to see a road system that makes collisions as unlikely as possible, and reduces the severity of them when they do. This is about the SYSTEM not the individual. Two years ago, BANES councillors unanimously adopted Vision Zero, that being to aim to have no death or serious injuries on the roads of the county. We currently face a big test of that aim.

The people of Bath, be they residents, councillors, council employees or all of the above need to decide what we are going to prioritise:

Speed or safety?

My view is clear. We still have dangerous 30mph limits through areas with homes each side of the road, with schools on the road or within a stones throw of it, and on roads where the pavements are often busy with pedestrians. Examples include:

• Newbridge Primary School- hemmed in on both sides by 30mph roads
• Widcombe Junior School, St Martin’s Garden, Three Ways, Ralph Allen and Oldfield School- 30mph directly outside
• Bear Flat High Street- a 30mph right through the middle of the community
• Lower Bristol Road around Windsor Bridge- 30mph through an area where pavements are often busy with students and others owing to the number of halls.

It is time to choose safety over speed.

My call to the council is to deliver on Vision Zero and implement 20mph on all roads now. No more talking, no more consultation. The experience of Wales has given us at the data we need. 100s of people spared from death or serious injury. And we are talking about around 10miles of road (see this map)- this is a change that could be rolled out in a week if the will was there.

If you agree with me, please sign my petition here. Let’s get this to the top of the councils agenda. Even better, sign and then write to your councillor. Let them know you won’t be voting for those who favour speed over safety.

Enough is enough.