Speed restrictions and virtual footway to be introduced at Camerton

Speed reduction measures and a ‘virtual footway’ are being installed at Camerton to improve road safety thanks to work between Bath & North East Somerset Council, residents and the parish council.

A virtual footway makes it safer for pedestrians in rural areas where the road is too narrow for a pavement. The scheme also includes lowering the speed limit to 20mph, new signage and road markings. 

Give way points and build outs, a raised section of kerbed pavement which narrows the road by extending into it, will also be installed. 

A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) has been advertised detailing where the 20mph speed limit could be introduced. 

Bath and North East Somerset Council worked with residents and Camerton Parish Council to better understand their safety concerns and updated its design for the scheme based upon their feedback. 

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “We’re glad we could improve the safety of pedestrians through this scheme and are thankful for the input of residents and Camerton Parish Council."

“Virtual footways allow us to make rural areas safer for residents where pavements aren’t possible. As Camerton Community Hall and Timsbury are at the top of Red Hill Road, we’re hoping this journey will now be much safer for residents."

Bath & North East Somerset Council will make the most of the road closure by cleaning and inspecting the road gullies and rebuilding a public right of way entrance located there. 

Construction is due to start 15 August and the work is expected to take up to two weeks to complete. Temporary traffic lights will be in place for the first week, however the road will be closed throughout the second week so road marking amendments can be made. Diversion routes will be in place for traffic and advanced notices positioned along the route to warn drivers of the road closure.