Highways officials in Gloucestershire are bracing for a possible surge in applications to reduce speed limits to 20mph across towns and villages. The county’s new Liberal Democrat administration is exploring a community-driven rollout of lower speed limits aimed at enhancing road safety.
Rather than imposing a blanket speed limit change, Gloucestershire County Council has made it clear that local communities must actively request 20mph zones. However, council officers voiced significant concerns at the Environment Scrutiny Committee on July 8 about the strain this could place on already overburdened teams.
Council staff revealed they are “struggling to keep their heads above water,” warning that the influx of requests for traffic regulation orders (TROs) needed to implement the speed limit reductions could lead to delays stretching into several years without additional resources.
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Cotswold councillor Tom Bradley, representing 19 parishes in Campden-Vale, highlighted strong local interest, noting that more than half of his parishes might seek 20mph speed limits. This enthusiasm raises questions about the council’s capacity to handle the expected workload.
Director of Economy and Environment Colin Chick expressed his concerns bluntly: “We fear a tsunami of requests far beyond what we have experienced before. Managing this while maintaining our routine responsibilities will be extremely challenging. We are currently overwhelmed.”
Chick outlined the demanding nature of processing each request: “Every application requires a detailed site visit and careful analysis of accident data—no small tasks. Additionally, each will involve a traffic regulation order, consultations with police, emergency services, and bus operators. This cannot be rushed or treated superficially.”
He estimated that without increased staffing, it could take several years to address all requests. “I might be wrong and interest might fizzle out, but I doubt it.”
Sarah Hands, chair of the committee and councillor for Highnam, acknowledged the widespread interest in reducing speed limits: “This is a significant issue with many parishes already eager to participate. While opinions vary on the merits, I believe it is a positive step.”
As Gloucestershire navigates the balance between improving road safety and managing administrative demands, the council faces the challenge of addressing community safety concerns without overwhelming its resources.