Speed limits reduced on the A46 after numerous crashes between 2017 and 2021. Safety improvements underway.
The road between Bath and M4 junction 18 has problems. Officials studied crash data from 2017 to 2021. National Highways worked with police and councils. They all want to improve the busy road’s safety.
The speed limit will drop to 50 mph. This new limit starts south of M4 junction 18 and goes to Pennsylvania Village. In Pennsylvania Village, the limit is now 30 mph. South of there, the limit is 40 mph until Upper Swainswick. After that, it returns to 50 mph.
Workers will put up new road signs soon. Later this year, they will resurface the road and repaint the road markings too.
National Highways wants safer roads for everyone. They looked at accident data to find risks, and they want to understand driver behavior better. The new rules aim to reduce harm on roads.
Work began on February 24th. They used temporary traffic lights sometimes. They closed parts of the A46 at night too. Closures happened only on weeknights from 8 PM to 6 AM. The job should finish by mid-March.
The A46 will close north of Cold Ashton roundabout certain nights. Those nights are March 6-7 and March 7-8. The A46 will close south of Cold Ashton other nights; those nights are March 12-13, 13-14, 14-15, and 17-18.
Detours exist during sign work. North of Cold Ashton, use the B4465, A4174, and A420. South of Cold Ashton, use the A420, A350, and A4. Local roads also have short detours. This affects Field Lane, Dunsdown Lane, and others.
They are doing work at night; this helps reduce traffic delays. They ask for patience from drivers and to plan trips ahead, allowing extra travel time.