Lower speed limits to improve safety at accident spots
SAFER 20mph speed limits are set to be introduced in communities in Swansea if new road safety plans are agreed.
Swansea Council has secured more than £1.3 million from the Welsh Government through its ‘road safety’ and ‘safe routes in communities’ grant schemes for 202021.
Out of the funding received, £879,800 (road safety grant) is set to target areas across the city where collisions involving pedestrians, recorded over a three-year period, have raised concerns and have prompted new plans for further 20mph speed limits to be introduced to make specific vehicular routes safer for all users.
One of the routes to benefit is the A4240, which runs from Penllergaer, through Gorseinon and on to Loughor. Latest statistics have highlighted a total of 29 collisions in the last three years and makes up for more than a third of the collisions in the whole of the Gorseinon/penyrheol area.
If approved at the next cabinet meeting, the agreed plans will result in the introduction of a new 20mph limit through the main commercial area in Gorseinon.
Improved pedestrian and cycle links will also be developed.
Speed plateaus will also be introduced along High Street and Castle Street in Swansea to help slow down traffic travelling through the city centre and will complement the existing 20mph limits already introduced as part of the Kingsway scheme.
A further 20mph limit will be introduced along St Helen’s Road, further improving pedestrian safety in the city.
Mark Thomas, cabinet member for environment enhancement and infrastructure management, said: “The data collected shows a need for more to be done in certain parts of the city to address traffic collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians.
“We know that lower 20mph limits are very effective in areas heavily used by pedestrians such as near schools or in commercial areas, so we are looking to introduce a number of these lower speed limits, along with other measures including raised plateaus.
“The overall aim will be to increase safety for pedestrians along specific routes and also help provide safer routes for alternative transport methods such as cycling.”
The remainder of the funding (£508,300), received through the WG safe routes in communities scheme, is being used to increase pedestrian safety measures in Gorseinon and Penyrheol, creating safer walking routes for schoo children.
Mr Thomas added: “Many parts of Gorseinon already benefit from lower 20mph speed limits.
“This latest funding settlement will help to increase the number of streets benefitting from 20mph limits.
“We will be installing additional infrastructure such as speed plateaus to further encourage motorists to drive more slowly, especially near local schools in the community.”
Both funding reports are set to be presented to Swansea Council’s Cabinet on Thursday.