Drivers fined on St John’s Lane after speed plummets, locals celebrate, yet many still face problems.
Data shows fines increased after the limit went from 30mph to 20mph. This happened outside the Brunel pub. Now, fewer and smaller speed limit signs exist.
Last November, 1,648 drivers got speeding tickets. In November 2023, only 27 drivers were fined. Enforcement started in late October, and 440 offences got recorded then.
Residents support the lower speed limit. However, they say the signs are not helpful. A resident on Redcatch Road wants safer driving because she lives near St John’s Lane.
She says Redcatch Road has no 20mph signs. Daily accidents and near misses occur there. Zebra crossings are very dangerous, she said, while traffic increased due to York Road closures.
She has lived there for fifteen years. She faces abuse entering or leaving her driveway, and cars often hit parked vehicles as people speed around the corner.
She finds traffic a big issue in Bristol. Poor signage and careless driving frustrate her. Drivers crawl on St John’s Lane, then speed on Redcatch, though she thinks 20mph is enough.
Schools, families, and a park are nearby. Crossing the street feels risky. She says poor signage is responsible and that not many know about the driveways on Redcatch.
Another resident, Richard Baker, once lived on St John’s Lane. He said people used it as a drag strip, even though a school was on the road.
Many drivers say the signs are too small and hard to see. Chris Goodfellow got fined after the change began even though he drives safely as much as he can.
He drove on St John’s Lane and simply didn’t realize the change. He was going about 28mph, and got points on his license, plus a £100 fine.
The goal should be safer driving, not simply catching people. He would have followed the limit if he knew, as he lives locally and drives safely around kids there. It felt unfair getting caught.
The council may lack capacity to make the changes. Other areas advertised speed limit changes. He does not think it was a cash grab plan, and supports the 20mph limit.
Carolyn Hecker also got caught speeding. She drove 29mph and took a speed awareness course. She was unhappy about the circumstances because she did not know about the speed limit change.
She has lived on Windmill Hill for 25 years. Going 30mph onto St John’s Lane feels automatic to her, and she missed the small signs.
She thinks Windmill Hill residents should have gotten notified. Brendon Road is one of three exits from Windmill Hill. Neighbors also got caught and are upset.
Many drivers were going 27mph or 28mph. They thought the speed limit was still 30mph because lorries or buses can block the view of the signs.
Sat navs still show 30mph. The fine or course costs are hard for some to afford, while points on the license raise insurance costs.
Jenn got caught doing 28mph as she returned from her kids’ school fair. She feels it is unfair and wants her money back, claiming no signs showed the change.
She used debt in order to afford the course as a single mom. She missed work to attend it. She usually takes back streets due to traffic but drove the main road that Sunday.
Government says changes must be signed well, and that new limits need publicity and road changes. Without these, people will not comply fully.
RAC says drivers don’t mean to break the law. People may not realize the limit changed, thus it is important that councils must publicize changes and make signs visible.
Last week, the council stood by the signs, claiming they follow government guidance. New 20mph road markings are possible, even though the council is not required to paint them.
A council member asked police to check enforcement. The council manages signs, while police enforce the new, lower speed limit.